Medical Terminology: Death and Dying

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Questions and Answers

What is Euthanasia?

Deliberate causing of death for a person with an incurable disease.

What does Apparent Death refer to?

Absence of vital signs.

What constitutes Legal Death?

Cessation of vital signs and brain activity as declared by a physician.

What is Biologic Death?

Death attributed resulting in permanent cell death. Signup and view all the answers

What is Algor Mortis?

Reduction of body temperature post mortem. Signup and view all the answers

What does Livor Mortis mean?

Settling of blood on dependent parts of the body post mortem. Signup and view all the answers

What is Decomposition?

Reduction into simpler forms of matter post mortem. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Death Rattle?

Sounds produced by air moving through mucus. Signup and view all the answers

What does Bereavement refer to?

Depression with anxiety reaction to loss of a loved one. Signup and view all the answers

What is Hospice care?

Family centered care to assist a terminally ill person. Signup and view all the answers

What is Mortality?

Death rate of becoming subject to death. Signup and view all the answers

What is Resuscitation?

Sustaining the vital function of a person in cardiac arrest. Signup and view all the answers

What does DNR stand for?

Do Not Resuscitate. Signup and view all the answers

What is a No Code?

Written note to instruct staff not to resuscitate. Signup and view all the answers

What are Advanced Directives?

Declaration of treatment process. Signup and view all the answers

What are the Stages of Dying?

Anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Signup and view all the answers

What is Brain Death?

Irreversible form of unconsciousness with complete loss of function. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Vegetative Stage?

Comatose patient unable to respond in spite of wakeful periods. Signup and view all the answers

What does Post Mortem mean?

After death. Signup and view all the answers

What is Embalming?

Preservation of corpse. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Living Will?

Declaration of wishes to withhold heroic efforts. Signup and view all the answers

What is Pallor Mortis?

Skin paleness post mortem. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Euthanasia and Death Definitions

Euthanasia: Deliberate act to cause death in individuals suffering from incurable diseases.
Apparent Death: A state characterized by the complete absence of vital signs.
Legal Death: Confirmed cessation of vital signs and brain activity, as recognized by a qualified physician.
Biologic Death: Occurs when permanent cell death is established.

Post-Mortem Changes

Algor Mortis: A gradual decrease in body temperature following death.
Livor Mortis: The pooling of blood in dependent areas of the body after death, leading to discoloration.
Decomposition: The natural process where the body breaks down into simpler organic substances post-mortem.

Physical Signs of Death

Death Rattle: Distinct sounds produced when air passes through mucus in the throat during the dying process.
Pallor Mortis: The paleness of the skin observed immediately following death.

Psychological and End-of-Life Care

Bereavement: The emotional response involving depression and anxiety that follows the loss of a loved one.
Hospice: A specialized care approach focused on family-centered support for individuals with terminal illnesses.

Mortality: A statistical measure representing the death rate or the likelihood of dying.
Resuscitation: Medical procedures aimed at restoring vital functions in a person experiencing cardiac arrest.
DNR (Do Not Resuscitate): An abbreviation indicating that no attempts should be made to revive the patient.
No Code: A formal instruction for medical staff that prohibits resuscitation efforts.

End-of-Life Planning and Directives

Advanced Directives: Legal documents that outline a person’s preferences regarding medical treatment in advance.
Living Will: A specific type of advanced directive expressing a patient’s wishes about withholding life-sustaining measures.

Stages of Dying

Stages of Dying: Key emotional phases experienced during the dying process, including anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

Neurological and Consciousness States

Brain Death: A state of irreversible unconsciousness characterized by the complete cessation of brain activity.
Vegetative Stage: A condition in which a patient remains unresponsive despite being awake.

Post-Mortem Practices

Post Mortem: Refers to occurrences or activities taking place after death.
Embalming: The process of preserving a corpse to delay decomposition and maintain physical appearance for funeral purposes.

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Description

Explore key medical terminology related to death and dying through this set of flashcards. Learn definitions and important concepts such as euthanasia, legal death, and apparent death. Perfect for medical students or anyone interested in understanding these critical terms.