Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is one of the primary definitions of death as mentioned in the content?
What is one of the primary definitions of death as mentioned in the content?
- Complete cessation of brain activity with persistent bodily functions
- Declining vital signs indicating the end stages of life
- Brain death leading to permanent stopping of integrated functioning of the person as a whole (correct)
- Irreversible loss of all brain function excluding basic reflexes
Which of the following is NOT considered a standard care practice for terminally ill patients?
Which of the following is NOT considered a standard care practice for terminally ill patients?
- Maintaining functional capacity as much as possible
- Immediately transitioning to hospice care without consulting the patient’s preferences (correct)
- Encouraging contact with relatives and loved ones
- Controlling pain to ensure comfort
What is a common fear experienced by patients nearing death?
What is a common fear experienced by patients nearing death?
- Fear of achieving all life goals
- Fear of financial burdens on family
- Fear of undergoing extensive medical procedures
- Fear of loneliness and abandonment (correct)
What is indicated by the clinical sign of rigor mortis?
What is indicated by the clinical sign of rigor mortis?
Which one of the following is the appropriate first step for last offices after death?
Which one of the following is the appropriate first step for last offices after death?
Which body system is NOT specifically mentioned as a sign of approaching death?
Which body system is NOT specifically mentioned as a sign of approaching death?
What characteristic is NOT associated with the signs of clinical death?
What characteristic is NOT associated with the signs of clinical death?
What is the significance of ensuring a doctor certifies death in the last offices process?
What is the significance of ensuring a doctor certifies death in the last offices process?
What appearance does a face show when death is imminent?
What appearance does a face show when death is imminent?
Which of the following statements accurately reflects the nature of death?
Which of the following statements accurately reflects the nature of death?
What should be done following the death of a patient to ensure proper documentation?
What should be done following the death of a patient to ensure proper documentation?
Which statement correctly describes the anger stage in the grieving process?
Which statement correctly describes the anger stage in the grieving process?
What initial action should be taken when managing relatives of a patient brought in dead?
What initial action should be taken when managing relatives of a patient brought in dead?
What characterizes the denial stage of the grieving process?
What characterizes the denial stage of the grieving process?
What is the purpose of anticipatory grief?
What is the purpose of anticipatory grief?
After a patient’s death, what action should relatives take regarding the coroner’s forms?
After a patient’s death, what action should relatives take regarding the coroner’s forms?
Which stage of the grieving process follows anger?
Which stage of the grieving process follows anger?
What is not typically associated with the grieving process's denial stage?
What is not typically associated with the grieving process's denial stage?
Which of the following is a common misconception about grieving?
Which of the following is a common misconception about grieving?
What is a common feeling experienced during the depression stage of grief?
What is a common feeling experienced during the depression stage of grief?
What action does a grieving person often take during the bargaining stage?
What action does a grieving person often take during the bargaining stage?
Which statement best captures the essence of the acceptance stage in grief?
Which statement best captures the essence of the acceptance stage in grief?
Which of the following questions is a common reflection during the bargaining stage?
Which of the following questions is a common reflection during the bargaining stage?
What is a misconception about the depression stage of grieving?
What is a misconception about the depression stage of grieving?
How does a grieving individual typically react when reflecting on the acceptance stage?
How does a grieving individual typically react when reflecting on the acceptance stage?
Which question reflects a typical sentiment encountered in the anger stage of grief?
Which question reflects a typical sentiment encountered in the anger stage of grief?
What is not a characteristic of the negotiating phase of grief?
What is not a characteristic of the negotiating phase of grief?
What fundamental aspect differentiates acceptance from the earlier stages of grief?
What fundamental aspect differentiates acceptance from the earlier stages of grief?
What should be done to prevent leakage from the orifices of the body?
What should be done to prevent leakage from the orifices of the body?
Which item is NOT listed as part of the trolley set for body preparation?
Which item is NOT listed as part of the trolley set for body preparation?
What position should the body initially be turned to when preparing for last offices?
What position should the body initially be turned to when preparing for last offices?
Which procedure is performed after labeling the body?
Which procedure is performed after labeling the body?
What should be done with a male patient’s facial hair if culture allows it?
What should be done with a male patient’s facial hair if culture allows it?
Which piece of information is NOT required to be labeled on the patient's body?
Which piece of information is NOT required to be labeled on the patient's body?
What is the primary emotional support advised for the family of the deceased?
What is the primary emotional support advised for the family of the deceased?
Which of the following is NOT a step in the procedure of last offices?
Which of the following is NOT a step in the procedure of last offices?
Why is it important to apply gentle pressure over the abdomen during preparation?
Why is it important to apply gentle pressure over the abdomen during preparation?
What should relatives be informed of regarding the deceased's body?
What should relatives be informed of regarding the deceased's body?
Flashcards are hidden until you start studying
Study Notes
Definition of Death
- Brain death signifies the permanent cessation of integrated functioning of the person.
- Death includes the stopping of breath and heartbeat.
- Can occur at the end of old age, due to prolonged illness, or as a result of severe trauma or infection.
- Symptoms include sagging of the mouth, dry lips, tongue incontinence.
Standard Care for Terminally Ill Patients
- Consider patient's preferences, personality, and lifestyle.
- Maintain functional capacity and relieve discomfort.
- Control pain and ensure patient safety.
- Encourage engagement with family and loved ones.
Emotional Concerns at End of Life
- Patients may fear pain, loneliness, abandonment, the unknown, loss of dignity, and control.
Signs of Approaching Death
- Circulatory, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems show distinct changes.
- Facial appearance and CNS functions change.
- Vision, speech, learning, and genitourinary indicators are also affected.
Clinical Death Indicators
- Absence of pulse and reflexes, fixed pupils.
- Rigidity (rigor mortis) and pale, cold skin are present.
- Specific signs include sagging mouth, dry tongue, and incontinence.
Last Offices: Immediate Care for the Deceased
- Screen the bed, and notify the nurse and doctor.
- Record time of vital signs’ cessation.
- Obtain a doctor’s certification of death prior to further actions.
Steps in Last Offices
- Remove any medical equipment from the patient.
- Straighten limbs, close eyes and mouth with wet cotton if necessary.
- Use bandages to support the jaw and cover with a sheet for an hour.
- Allow relatives to view the body if they wish, offering emotional support.
Body Preparation Requirements
- Trolley set with articles for bed bath, cleaning materials, scissors, and identification labels.
Procedures for Body Preparation
- Turn the patient to the lateral position for secretions to drain.
- Perform a bed bath, focusing on nostrils and mouth, and replace dentures if applicable.
- Pack orifices with cotton wool to prevent leakage.
- Label the body with full name, age, sex, ward, diagnosis, and time of death.
- Wrap the body securely and place it on a mortuary trolley.
- Document the process and clean the patient’s area thoroughly.
Management of Patient Brought in Dead (BID)
- Reassure and provide seating for relatives.
- Involve a doctor to certify death and fill necessary forms for the police.
Grieving Process
- Grieving is an emotional response to significant loss, often described as sorrow and heartache.
- Anticipatory grief occurs before the actual loss and can cause emotional strain.
Stages of Grief
- Denial: Initial shock and disbelief; a coping mechanism allowing for gradual acceptance.
- Anger: Emotional response aiming to express loss; can be directed at various entities or situations.
- Bargaining: Negotiation for a reprieve from loss, may involve promises to change or behave differently.
- Depression: Deep, overwhelming sadness as the reality of loss sets in; feelings of emptiness may prevail.
- Acceptance: Understanding and coming to terms with the loss; not necessarily equating to feeling "okay."
Important Considerations
- Acceptance is often mistaken for a state of being "fine"; it represents recognition of the loss and adjusting to a new reality.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
