3. Death
Death is a irreversible cessation of circulatory,respiratory
function or the irreversible cessation of all functions of
the entire brain, including thebrainstem.
Signs of Death
Absence of heartbeat and respirations.
Fixed pupils
Skin color turns toa waxen pallorand extremities
may darken.
Body temperaturesdrops
Muscles and sphincters relax, sometimes resulting in
release of stool orurine
4. PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES AFTER DEATH
1. Rigor mortis
Stiffening of the body that occurs about 2-4hrs after
death.
Results from a lack of ATP,which causes the musclesto
contract, which in turn immobilize thejoints
It starts in the involuntary muscles( heart, bladder) then
progress to head, neck, trunk ,extremities.
2.Algor mortis
Gradual decrease of the body temperature after death.
When blood circulation terminates and hypothalamus
ceases to function , body temperature fallsdown.
5. 3.Livor mortis
Discoloration of body afterdeath.
After blood circulation has ceased , the RBC broken
down , - leads to discoloration of surrounding tissues
4. Decomposition
Tissues afterdeath become softand eventually liquified
by bacterial fermentation .
The hotter the temperature, the more rapid thechange.
So bodies are stored in cool places /embalming
6. Hospital Deaths
Physician The physician responsible for
pronouncing the death of a patient will:
1. Write death note on the chart
2. Determine whether the may have jurisdiction
over the death and contact the investigator if so
indicated.
3. Call the Bed Information Center (BIC) to initiate Death
Certificate on all NON GCME CASES. (Death certificates for
ME cases will be generated by autopsy services.)
Information to be provided to the BIC will be: Patient’s full
name, date of birth, date and time of death.
7. DEAD BODY CARE
After death the body undergoes many physical
changes. Socare must be provided as early to prevent
tissue damage /disfigurement of bodyparts.
Purpose of dead bodycare
1. Toprepare the body for themorgue.
2. Toprevent discoloration or deformity of thebody.
3. Toprotect the body from postmortem
discharge.
8. PROCEDURES
Careof dead body ,often depends upon thecustoms and
religious beliefs.
Nurses providedignityand sensitivity to theclientand family
1. Check orders for anyspecimens
2. Ask forspecial requests to family (eg: shaving , a special
gown , Bible in hand )
3. Removeall equipments , tubes , suppliesand dirty linens.
4. Cleanse the body thoroughly , applyclean sheets
5. Brush and comb thehairs
6. Theeyelids areclosed and held in place fora few seconds ,
so they remainclosed.
7. Dentures should be in the mouth to maintain facial
alignment.
9. 8. Mouth should beclosed.
9. Remove all theornaments.
10. Absorbent pads are placed under the buttocks to take up
any feaces and urine released because of musclesphincter
relaxation
11. All the orifices should beclosed.
12. Coverwith a clean sheet up to the chin.
13. Spray a deodorizer toremove unpleasant odor.
14. Apply name tag ( wrist , right bigtoe)
15. Allow the family members toview thedead body
16. The body is wrapped in a large pieceor plastic
orcotton material used toenclose a body afterdeath.
Identification is then applied outsideof the wrapper.
10. 17. Hand overall the belongings to the relatives.
18. Do complete documentation in the nursing notes.
Timeof death and actions taken to prevent thedeath.
Who pronounced thedeath.
Any organdonation
Personal articles left on thebody
Personal items given tofamily
Time of discharge and destinationof the body
Location of name tags on thebody
Special request byfamily
19. Hand over thedead body to the relatives / sent to the
mortuary.
