Transcript Document 7181562

UNDERSTANDING DEATH
Objective
ACTION: Identify the variances of the 3 stages of
death.
CONDITIONS: Given the lecture and class notes.
STANDARD: Identification will include the variances
of the 3 stages and the 8 signs of death.
A Definition of Death
Death is the total cessation or extinction of life as manifested
by the absence of heartbeat and respiration. The absence of
metabolism and the total lack of irritability characterize it. It is
the cessation of all vital functions without capability of
resuscitation. Biologically, the death of any living organism is
viewed as the “inevitable and critical moment when an organism
ceases to function as a specific, unified, homeostatic system and
becomes disorganized into a mere collection of chemical
substance.
Somatic Death
SOMATIC DEATH: The death of an organism as a whole – it’s
complete loss of ability to function as an organized creature. It is
death beginning with of the three vital organs – sometimes called
the Tripod of Life.
Somatic Death - Con’t
Tripod of Life
L
I
F
E
=
HEART
BRAIN
LUNGS
Three (3) Stages of Somatic Death
Clinical Death
Biological or Irrevocable Death
Cellular Death
Clinical Death
Clinical Death:
• Sometimes referred to as “LEGAL DEATH”
• Marked by cessation of cardiac and respiratory activity.
•The period of clinical death is very brief, lasting not more than
five or six minutes.
Biological or Irrevocable Death
BIOLOGICAL or IRREVOCABLE DEATH:
• All tissues and organs have undergone irreversible changes
• Restoration of life is impossible.
• Highly specialized cells are dead and the more resistant cells are
dying
• The muscles will still respond to clinical or electrical
stimulation.
Cellular Death
CELLULAR DEATH:
• The final cause of death is oxygen starvation of the tissue cells
when blood ceases to circulate.
• One to four hours elapses between the onset of somatic death
and the death of the individual cells.
• The more highly organized cells and tissues die most rapidly.
Signs of Death
• After somatic death certain changes in body appearance,
composition, and reaction occur.
• These signs are collectively labeled as Post Mortem changes.
• Signs by which we may recognize its presence in the body.
• The signs include any unusual appearances of the body which
denote that life is extinct.
Signs of Death (con’t)
• The only single reliable sign of death is general putrefaction.
• All other signs must be observed in a combination of two or
more to establish the certainty of death.
• There are eight (8) commonly observed signs of death…
Signs of Death (Con’t)
1. Cessation of respiration and circulation - Breathing and blood
circulation may become slow and shallow.
2. Algor Mortis - The Post Mortem adjustment of body
temperature to that of the surrounding medium.
3. Rigor Mortis - (cadaveric rigidity) The temporary stiffening of
the voluntary and involuntary muscles as the result of chemical
changes in the dead body.
4. Changes in the Eye – The most apparent are the sinking and
flattening of the eyeball.
Signs of Death (Con’t)
5. Dehydration – As water evaporates from the skin and the fatty
tissue immediately beneath it, the skin loses it’s elasticity and
may be wrinkled.
6. Saponification – The conversion of the fatty tissue of the body
into a soapy, waxy substance called adipocere or graves wax.
7. Mummification – This is the complete mummification of the
body. It occurs when the body is kept in a very dry atmosphere
at a temperature that is consistently above or below that
favorable for bacterial growth.
Signs of Death (Con’t)
8. Decomposition – The final Post Mortem change is
decomposition. This is a reduction of the complex body
substances and structures to their component elements.
Rumors and Death
Rumors and Death
What rumors have you heard?
????
Death – a pictorial display
Warning!!!
You are about to view pictures of various stages of death. Some
are very graphic and contain nudity .
If you think you are unable to view the photos or become very
uncomfortable –
Please notify your instructor now!
Are there any questions before we begin……
Death – a pictorial display
Death – a pictorial display
Death – a pictorial display
Death – a pictorial display
Death – a pictorial display
Death – a pictorial display
Death – a pictorial display
Death – a pictorial display
Death – a pictorial display
Death – a pictorial display
Death – a pictorial display
Death – a pictorial display
Death – a pictorial display
Death – a pictorial display
Death – a pictorial display
Questions???
Check on Learning
Question 1: Name one of the three stages of death.
Answer: 1- Clinical Death. 2 – Biological or
Irrevocable Death. 3 – Cellular Death.
Check on Learning
Question 2: What are the three areas of the “Tripod of
Life”?
Answer: The Heart, Brain, and Lungs
Summary
a. Definition of death
b. Somatic death
c. 3 Stages of Somatic death
d. Signs of death
e. Rumors and Death
Check on Learning
Question: What is Rigor Mortis?
Answer: The temporary stiffening of the voluntary and
involuntary muscles as the result of chemical changes
in the dead body.
Question: Define decomposition?
Answer: The final Post Mortem change is
decomposition. This is a reduction of the complex
body substances and structures to their component
elements.