Post Mortem Care Aseron
Post Mortem Care Aseron
Post Mortem Care Aseron
AND DEATH
PREPARED BY:
MARY ANTOINETTE B. ASERON, RN, MAN
COPING WITH LOSS,
GRIEVING AND
DEATH
LOSS – is an actual or potential situation in which
something that is valued is changed, no longer
available or gone.
TYPES OF LOSS
1. Actual Loss
• Can be identified by others and can arise
either in response to or in anticipation of a
situation
• Ex. A man whose wife is dying may
experience actual loss in anticipation of her
death.
2. Perceived Loss
• Is experienced by one person but cannot
be verified by others (psychological)
• Ex. A woman who leaves her
employment to care for her children at
home may perceived loss of
independence
SOURCES OF LOSS
1. Loss of an aspect of oneself
2. Loss of an external object
3. Loss of accustomed environment
4. Loss of loved ones
GRIEF AND
BEREAVEMENT
• GRIEF – is the total response to the
emotional experience related to loss
It is manifested in feelings and
behaviors thoughts associated with
overwhelming distress or sorrow
A.NORMAL GRIEF
ELISABETH KUBLER-ROSS 5
stages of grieving
2. DYSFYNCTIONAL GRIEVING
- Related to multiple past or
current losses, lack of resolution,
IMPAIRED ADJUSTMENT
- related to disability requiring
change in life-style, unavailable
support systems, impaired
cognition, ineffective denial.
SOCIAL ISOLATION
- Related to inability to engage in
satisfying personal relationships,
alterations in physical appearance,
altered state of wellness.
CARE OF THE DYING
CLIENT
DEFINITION:
In 1968, the world medical assembly
adopted the following guidelines for
physicians as indications of death:
Total lack of response to external stimuli
breathing
No reflexes, flat encephalogram in
4.SENSORY IMPAIRMENT
– blurred vision, impaired senses of taste and
smell.
5.INDICATIONS OF DEATH
- total lack of response to external stimuli, no
muscular movement, especially breathing, no
reflexes, flat encephalogram.
THE DYING PERSON’S BILL
OF RIGHTS
I HAVE RIGHT :
1. To be treated as a living human being until I
die
2. To maintain a sense of hopefulness however
changing its focus may be
3. To express my feelings and emotions about my
approaching death in my own way
4. To participate in decisions concerning my care
5. To expect continuing medical and nursing
attention even though cure goals must be
changed to comfort goals
6. Not to die alone.
7. To be free from pain.
9. Not to be deceived
10. To have help from and for my family
in accepting my death.
11. To die in peace and with dignity.
12. To retain my individuality & not be
judged for my decisions which may be
contrary to the beliefs of others.
13. To be cared for by caring, sensitive,
knowledgeable people who will attempt
to understand my needs & will be able
to gain some satisfaction in helping me
face my death.
NURSING INTERVENTIONS
FOR DYING CLIENT
1. Assist the client achieve a dignified and
peaceful death : provide relief from
loneliness, fear and depression, maintain
the client’s sense of security, self
confidence, dignity, and self-worth,
maintain hope.
2. Maintain physiologic and psychologic
comfort:
personal hygiene measures, relief of
respiratory difficulties, assistance with
movement, nutrition, hydration and
elimination.
NURSING DIAGNOSIS:
FOR THE DYING CLIENT
FEAR related to:
Knowledge deficit
Lack of social support in threatening
situation
in isolation
Deteriorating physiologic condition,
3. Rigor mortis
• Is the stiffening of the body that occurs
about 2 to 4 hours after death
• It start in the involuntary muscles
• Usually leaves the body about 96 hours
after death
4. Livor mortis
• This is the last phase of death. When the
heart stops pumping, the blood is pulled
by gravity and begins to collect in certain
areas depending on the position of the
body. Lividity begins with the skin where
the blood has settled, giving it a bright
red tone. After a few hours, the color
changes from red to blue or purple. This
can take about 6-8 hours.
• Blood circulation ceases, RBC break
down, release hemoglobin which discolor
surrounding tissue.
DECOMPOSITION
Two distinct cycles: Autolysis and Putrefaction.
Autolysis - starts when the cells start to
release enzymes and goes on for about 2 hours
after cells starved of oxygen die and lose their
structure.
Putrefaction – it is when the dead body
becomes bloated and decays, and dry phases
of decomposition begin. Bacteria inside the
body produce gases that the non-breathing
corpse can't diffuse. The eyes and tongue
might protrude and begin to smell of death.
Bloating normally starts around the second day
of postmortem and proceeds to last for 5-6
POSTMORTEM CARE
PROCEDURE IN CARING FOR THE BODY:
ASSESSMENT:
1. Verify that vital function have ceased and
pronounce patient dead if permitted to do so.
Otherwise, notify physician and record time
of death and time pronounced dead.
PLANNING:
3. Plan for any special religious/ cultural
practices desired by the family
POSTMORTEM CARE
4. Offer to transfer any other patients in
room to another location temporarily
5. Wash your hands
6. Gather equipment
- clean gloves , soap, washcloth, towel,
basin, clean gown, clean linen if the
patient is to be viewed, clean dressing if w/
wound, disposable pads, shroud or sheets,
identification tags and masking tape.
POSTMORTEM CARE
• IMPLEMENTATION:
• 7. Place ”No visitors-Check at Nurses
Station” sign on door.
• 8. Place body in supine position with bed
flat.
• 9. Place low pillow under the head
• 10. Close patients eyes
• 11. Remove watch and jewelry and make
list of all possessions.
• 12. Put on clean gloves
POSTMORTEM CARE
• EVALUATION:
• 30. Evaluate using the following criteria
• Body cared for and transported appropriately
• All necessary notification carried out
• Family able to carry out rituals, viewing and
spend time with patient as desired
POSTMORTEM CARE
• Possessions should be handled appropriately.
• DOCUMENTATION:
• 31. Document postmortem activities including
• Time of cessation of vital signs.
• Persons notified and time of notification.
• List and disposition of valuables and personal
belongings.
• Time body removed from unit, destination and removed
by whom.
• Other information required by the facility.
• POSTMORTEM EXAMINATION
(AUTOPSY)
• PURPOSES:
• Medical or Dental Education
• Research
• Advancement for Medical and Dental
Science
• Therapy
• Transplantation
• The donation can be made by a provision
in a will or by signing a card like form in
the presence of two witnesses.
• INQUEST
• Is a legal inquiry into the cause or
manner of a death.
• It is conducted under the jurisdiction of a
coroner or medical examiner.
• MORTICIAN(undertaker) - is a person
trained in the care of the dead.