[rehabhereIcome]

http://rn.modernmedicine.com/rnweb/a...eID=1&sk=&date=

After reading this...does anyone have any other post mortem tips to share.

[earle58]

to reiterate what the article said, remove all valuables/jewelery and place in baggie to return to family.

i either leave dentures in or put them in.

to this day, i still cannot get eyes to fully close (after death).
i try to encourage my pts to close their eyes while they're dying, as i sit close by and stroke their hair....helps them to relax.

make sure hair is combed, nails clean, pt shaved.

place an attends/diaper on, in anticipation of urinary/fecal leakage.

when noting about valuables/jewelery removed, do not say "diamond" or "gold".
rather, write "white sparkling stone", "golden-colored band".

don't panic after pronouncing them, and you hear a long, expiratory breath.
(i screamed the first time i heard this)

i'll let you know if i think of anything else.

leslie

[nightmare]

Leslie,try a wet swab and gently stroke the eye lid down.The water moistens the eye which is probably dry and helps close them.

[earle58]

Originally Posted by nightmare

Leslie,try a wet swab and gently stroke the eye lid down.The water moistens the eye which is probably dry and helps close them.

i know, the article said something about moistened gauze.

i have tried everything, including swabbing the eyes down.
at best, i can get them to shut most of the way but still can see the whites of their eyes.
for many families, that's even creepier than remaining opened.

i've held the eyes shut for up to 15 minutes, still didn't work.
yes, i've even taped them shut (paper tape) and that didn't work.
maybe it has something to do with how wide-eyed these pts were when alive, and the resultant muscular structures.
but to date, unless they're sleeping/unconscious, i haven't found anything that works.

leslie

[nightmare]

I know what you mean,some just will not close,I've tried leaving the wet swab on for a while as well.

[Maynmom]

The only thing I have to add is be mindful that you are handling a human being. A couple of weeks ago I assisted a newer nurse with this task and was horrified that she was just flipping this person from side to side. I was trying to lead by example and be respectful and continue to treat this person as if she were still alive. I understand this nurse may have been nervous or scared but she appeared just plain callous.

[flightnurse2b]

Originally Posted by earle58

don't panic after pronouncing them, and you hear a long, expiratory breath.
(i screamed the first time i heard this)

i wish someone had told me about this when i started out in the field. one of my first patient deaths, after i had pronounced her, not only did she let this huge belching breath of air, her AICD fired and just about jerked and twitched every muscle in her body. i jumped out of my skin.

[earle58]

Originally Posted by flightnurse2b

i wish someone had told me about this when i started out in the field. one of my first patient deaths, after i had pronounced her, not only did she let this huge belching breath of air, her AICD fired and just about jerked and twitched every muscle in her body. i jumped out of my skin.

yep, me too.
have also had (dead) pts sit upright.
really scary w/eyes opened.

leslie

[rehabhereIcome]

Eeekkks!

[nightmare]

Originally Posted by earle58

yep, me too.
have also had (dead) pts sit upright.
really scary w/eyes opened.

leslie

No ,never had that happen.....yet!!