Basic Care & Comfort: Postmortem care

Immediately after a patient dies, in what position do you place their body?

Supine w/ head of bed slightly elevated.

Why this position (Supine w/ head of bed slightly elevated)?

Because “liver mortis” can occur quickly and discolor the fact to a blue/purple.

If the patient is a donor what should the nurse do w/ the life support measures even after brain death is confirmed?

Keep the patient on full life support until harvesting of the organs is completed.

What should the nurse do w/ tubes and lines when a client is to undergo an autopsy.

If the client has died and will be undergoing an autopsy to establish cause of death (usually in criminal case) ALL lines and tubes remain in.

If the patient is NOT a donor and NOT an autopsy candidate, what should the nurse do w/ all lines, tubes, and life support measures upon their death?

Remove all support measures, tubes, and lines, EXCEPT FOR IV LINES. B/C Fluid losses from IV removal can affect mortuary care. Cap IV lines and let the mortician remove them.

If they fit should dentures be placed in the deceased patient’s mouth after death?

YES, so the face does not lose shape for the mortuary care.

If the culture does not forbid it should the nurse tale measures to close the mouth?

YES

If the culture allows it, should the nurse take measures to close the eyes?

YES

Should the nurse clean up the client after death.

YES

Should the nurse place an incontinence pad under the patients’ buttocks?

YES

Should the nurse dress the patient in their pajamas?

NO, a clean gown.

After all these things are finished, can the family come to the bedside?

Yes, and allow them time.

After the family leaves is the gown removed?

YES, then a shroud is used. Follow instructions on the shroud kit… they are all different.

Who establishes and records time of death.

The HCP

In how many places should the ID of the body be placed

2, on the body per protocol and on the shroud.