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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.
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: death can be pretty sneaky.[1]
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.[2] One, however, may note in the moments preceding death a death rattle, death giggle, or both.
Diagnosis
Imaging can help support the diagnosis of death. Pan-scanning provides the best use of resources.[3]
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.[4] For more information, see Postmortem Chemotherapy.
Prevention
Tammyflu and a multivitamin.[5][6]
Future Directions
Unfortunately, there have been no breakthroughs with this condition and the global death rate remains constant at 100%.[7]
Related Reading
- Bury It (Song)
- Constitution
- Dead, dead, dead, dead...
- 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?
References
- ↑ Season 2 Episode 4 "My Old Lady" (Scrubs)
- ↑ AMA Holds Funeral Service for Physical Exam (Gomerblog)
- ↑ Ever Wonder How Radiologists Know What Studies to Recommend? (Gomerblog)
- ↑ FDA Approves Groundbreaking Postmortem Chemotherapy Protocol (Gomerblog)
- ↑ New Study Shows Tammyflu Pills Provide Eternal Life (Gomerblog)
- ↑ New Multivitamin Cures Cancer, Heart Disease, Famine, Evil (Gomerblog)
- ↑ World Death Rate Holding Steady At 100 Percent (The Onion)
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Fun Stuff
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