CNA 6.3.2 DEATH AND POSTMORTEM CARE EXAM

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CNA 6.3.2 (DEATH AND POSTMORTEM CARE) EXAM

QUESTIONS

Actual Qs and Ans Expert-Verified Explanation

This Exam contains:

-Guarantee passing score -6 Questions and Answers -format set of multiple-choice -Expert-Verified Explanation

Question 1: Postmortem care

Answer:

Caring for the body after death is called postmortem care. Some facilities require that only the mortician and mortuary staff handle the body after death. Other facilities allow other health care workers to tend to the body.Regardless of who administers postmortem care, it is important to treat the body with respect and dignity at all times. In addition, standard precautions should be used when handling the body. Bodily fluids may still be infectious even after death.

Question 2: Religion and death

Answer:

Many religions have beliefs about dying and death. Be sure to talk to the family or clergyperson to learn what is acceptable.On the following page, you will print a form containing information about dying and death for several major religions. Read over the information carefully.

Question 3: Procedure fore postmortem care

Answer:

• Cleanse your hands.

- Gather the supplies for the procedure. You will need:

• Paper or cloth shroud

• Body bag
• Basin with warm water
• Washcloth
• Towels
• Comb or brush
• 4 identification tags
• Chin strap
• 2 small ties
• 3 large ties
• Cotton pad
• Plastic bag

-Gloves

• Put on gloves.
• With the bed flat, make sure the body is in a supine position - flat on the back with arms and legs

pointed downward. Elevate the head and neck on a pillow.

• Remove all clothing, tubes, and IV lines from the patient, if instructed to do so. In some facilities, only

nurses or mortuary staff are permitted to do this.

• If the patient wears dentures or an artificial eye, make sure the patient is wearing them.
• Close the eyes by gently pulling down on the eyelids and holding them shut for a few seconds.
• Secure the jaw. If the mouth will not stay closed, apply a chin strap. Wrap the ties behind the patient's

head. Do not tie the strap too tightly or it will leave marks on the body.

• Use the washcloth and basin with warm water to bathe the patient as needed. Dry the patient with

clean towels. Be sure to handle the body carefully, because pressure may leave marks on the body.

• Remove any soiled dressings and replace them with clean bandages.
• Groom the patient's hair.
• Place a disposable cotton pad beneath the patient's buttocks.

- If the family is to view the body:

• Put a clean hospital gown on the patient.

-Cover the body to the shoulders with a sheet.

• Remove your gloves and cleanse your hands.
• Make sure the room is neat and that the lights are at a subdued level.
• Allow the family to view the patient in private.
• After the family leaves, return to the room.
• Collect all of the patient's personal belongings.
• Review the personal inventory sheet that was completed when the patient was admitted to the facility.

Make sure no items are missing.

• Place the items into a plastic bag to be stored until they are signed for by a relative. Valuable items are

usually stored in a safe.

• Fill out four identification tags.
• Attach one tag to the bag with the patient's belongings.
• Put on gloves.
• Attach one tag to the patient's right ankle or right big toe.
• Set aside the other two tags. They will be used later in the procedure.
• Cross the patient's wrists over the abdomen and tie them together with a tie. You may want to place

gauze sponges beneath the ties to avoid leaving marks on the skin.

• Use another tie to tie the patient's ankles together.
• With the help of a co-worker, place a shroud beneath the patient.

Fold the shroud:

• Fold the top seam over the patient's head.
• Fold the bottom seam over the patient's feet.
• Grasp the top left corner of the shroud. Fold it diagonally downward toward the patient's abdomen.
• Grasp the top right corner of the shroud. Fold it diagonally downward toward the patient's abdomen.
• Grasp the bottom left corner of the shroud. Fold it diagonally upward toward the patient's abdomen.
• Grasp the bottom right corner of the shroud. Fold it diagonally upward toward the patient's abdomen.
• Grasp the left edge of the shroud. Fold it inward across the patient's body.
• Grasp the right edge of the shroud. Fold it inward across the patient's body.
• Wrap long ties around the patient's shoulders, abdomen, and knees. Secure the ties firmly.
• Attach an identification tag to the middle tie.
• With the assistance of a co-worker, place the body into a body bag. Some facilities do not use body

bags. Be sure to follow the guidelines at your facility.

• Attach the last identification tag to the zipper on the body bag.
• Remove and discard gloves according to the facility's guidelines.
• Cleanse your hands.
• Store the body according to the facility's guidelines.
• If the facility has a morgue, transport the body to the morgue on a stretcher.
• If the facility does not have a morgue, leave the body on the bed until the mortician arrives to pick it up.

Be sure the privacy curtain is drawn. Also, many facilities require a warning sign to be placed on the door that says, "See the nurse before entering."

• Clean equipment and store it in the proper place.
• Report all actions taken and any observations.

Question 4: During death

Answer:

When it becomes clear that death will happen very soon, the head nurse should be notified. The nurse will supervise during the final moments of life. As the patient dies, it is important to remain respectful.The sense of hearing is usually still intact, so health care workers should continue to use soft, kind words.

Question 5: Signs of approaching death

Answer:

As death approaches, the body experiences several noticeable changes. The head nurse should be notified immediately as each of these changes occurs.

• Patient becomes less responsive.
• Body functions slow down.
• Patient loses some voluntary and involuntary muscle control.
• Patient may involuntarily void and defecate.
• The jaw may drop.
• Breathing becomes irregular, shallow, and laborious.

• Circulation slows, and the extremities become cold and mottled.
• The pulse becomes rapid and then becomes progressively weaker.
• Skin becomes pale.
• The eyes stare and do not respond to light.

Question 6: Postmortem changes

Answer:

After death, the body continues to change. These are called postmortem changes.

• Pupils become permanently dilated.
• There is no pulse or respiration.
• Heat is lost from the body.
• The patient may urinate, defecate, or release flatus.
• Blood settles in the lowest areas of the body, turning these areas a purplish color.
• The body becomes rigid within 2 to 4 hours. This is called rigor mortis.
• Unless the body is embalmed within 24 hours, the body will release an odor as proteins begin to break

down.