Difference between revisions of "Death"

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'''Death''' is defined by the cessation of all biological functions and is typically considered a suboptimal outcome.  Patients often state their preference for ongoing life as opposed to '''death.'''
 
'''Death''' is defined by the cessation of all biological functions and is typically considered a suboptimal outcome.  Patients often state their preference for ongoing life as opposed to '''death.'''
  
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'''Symptoms'''
 
'''Symptoms'''
 
----
 
----
It can be very challenging to elicit symptoms in a patient who has suffered from '''death'''.  In fact, many of these patients look peaceful and have no complaints.  Collateral history is very useful here. But be forewarned: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIh_ZLKcF7s '''death''' can be pretty sneaky].<ref>Season 2 Episode 4 "My Old Lady" (Scrubs)</ref>
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It can be very challenging to elicit symptoms in a patient who has suffered from '''death'''.  Collateral history is very useful here.
  
  
 
'''Signs'''
 
'''Signs'''
 
----
 
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[[Vital Signs|Vital signs]] can be very telling in a patient with '''death''': temperature is room temperature or less, blood pressure is 0, heart rate is 0, respiratory rate is 0, and oxygen saturation is 0%.  [[Physical Exam|Physical exam]] can be very challenging due to the patient's lack of participation.<ref>[http://gomerblog.com/2016/09/ama-holds-funeral-service-for-physical-exam/ AMA Holds Funeral Service for Physical Exam (Gomerblog)]</ref>  One, however, may note in the moments preceding '''death''' a [[Death Rattle|death rattle]], [[Death Giggle|death giggle]], or both.
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[[Vital Signs|Vital signs]] can be very telling in a patient with death: temperature is room temperature or less, blood pressure is 0, heart rate is 0, respiratory rate is 0, and oxygen saturation is 0%.  [[Physical Exam|Physical exam]] can be very challenging due to the patient's lack of participation.<ref>[http://gomerblog.com/2016/09/ama-holds-funeral-service-for-physical-exam/ AMA Holds Funeral Service for Physical Exam]</ref>
 
 
 
 
'''Diagnosis'''
 
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Imaging can help support the diagnosis of '''death.'''  Pan-scanning provides the best use of resources.<ref>[http://gomerblog.com/2015/06/radiology-study/ Ever Wonder How Radiologists Know What Studies to Recommend? (Gomerblog)]</ref>
 
  
  
 
'''Treatment'''
 
'''Treatment'''
 
----
 
----
However, just because a patient has died doesn't mean they are no longer a candidate for treatment.  One of the most popular treatments after death is chemotherapy.<ref>[http://gomerblog.com/2017/01/fda-approves-groundbreaking-postmortem-chemotherapy-protocol/ FDA Approves Groundbreaking Postmortem Chemotherapy Protocol (Gomerblog)]</ref>  ''For more information, see [[Postmortem Chemotherapy]].''
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However, just because a patient has died doesn't mean they are no longer a candidate for treatment.  One of the most popular treatments after death is chemotherapy.<ref>[http://gomerblog.com/2017/01/fda-approves-groundbreaking-postmortem-chemotherapy-protocol/ FDA Approves Groundbreaking Postmortem Chemotherapy Protocol]</ref>  ''For more information, see [[Postmortem Chemotherapy]].''
 
 
 
 
'''Prevention'''
 
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Tammyflu and a multivitamin.<ref>[http://gomerblog.com/2015/01/flu-treatment/ New Study Shows Tammyflu Pills Provide Eternal Life (Gomerblog)]</ref><ref>[http://gomerblog.com/2015/03/multivitamin/ New Multivitamin Cures Cancer, Heart Disease, Famine, Evil (Gomerblog)]</ref>
 
  
  
 
'''Future Directions'''
 
'''Future Directions'''
 
----
 
----
Unfortunately, there have been no breakthroughs with this condition and the global '''death''' rate remains constant at 100%.<ref>[http://www.theonion.com/article/world-death-rate-holding-steady-at-100-percent-1670 World Death Rate Holding Steady At 100 Percent (The Onion)]</ref>
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Unfortunately, there have been no breakthroughs with this condition and the global '''death''' rate remains constant at 100%.<ref>[http://www.theonion.com/article/world-death-rate-holding-steady-at-100-percent-1670 World Death Rate Holding Steady At 100 Percent ]</ref>
 
 
 
 
'''Related Reading'''
 
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* [[Bury It (Song)]]
 
* [[Constitution]]
 
* [[Dead, dead, dead, dead...]]
 
* [[Dead Giveaway]]
 
* [[Die Hard in the ICU]]
 
* [[Die Hard with a PEG Tube]]
 
* [[DNR]]
 
* [[Does Palliative Care really care?]]
 
* [[Gomer Never Dies]]
 
* [[Half Life]]
 
* [[Hospicillin]]
 
* [[McDonald's]]
 
* [[Morgue Rounds]]
 
* [[Mortality Rate]]
 
* [[Natural Born Killer Cells]]
 
* [[The O Sign]]
 
* [[Organ Donation]]
 
* [[Pork Chop]]
 
* [[The Q Sign]]
 
* [[Postmortem Chemotherapy]]
 
* [[Sudden-Death Overtime]]
 
* [[What is a good name for my anatomy cadaver?]]
 
  
  
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<references />
 
<references />
  
[[Category:Phrases & Expressions]]
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[[Category:Medical Terminology]]
[[Category:Pathology]]
 
[[Category:Internal Medicine]]
 
[[Category:Emergency Medicine]]
 
[[Category:Palliative Care & Hospice]]
 

Revision as of 10:17, 29 January 2017

Death is defined by the cessation of all biological functions and is typically considered a suboptimal outcome. Patients often state their preference for ongoing life as opposed to death.


Symptoms


It can be very challenging to elicit symptoms in a patient who has suffered from death. Collateral history is very useful here.


Signs


Vital signs can be very telling in a patient with death: temperature is room temperature or less, blood pressure is 0, heart rate is 0, respiratory rate is 0, and oxygen saturation is 0%. Physical exam can be very challenging due to the patient's lack of participation.[1]


Treatment


However, just because a patient has died doesn't mean they are no longer a candidate for treatment. One of the most popular treatments after death is chemotherapy.[2] For more information, see Postmortem Chemotherapy.


Future Directions


Unfortunately, there have been no breakthroughs with this condition and the global death rate remains constant at 100%.[3]


References


  1. AMA Holds Funeral Service for Physical Exam
  2. FDA Approves Groundbreaking Postmortem Chemotherapy Protocol
  3. World Death Rate Holding Steady At 100 Percent


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