morbid question about post mortem care

praying_mantis · Jun 22, 2009

This technique has worked for me every time:

Roll up a towel or wash cloth and put it under the pts occipital protuberance....then put a rolled up towel/wash cloth under the chin. The towel at the back of the head tips the chin to the chest and closes it better. The only time it didnt work for me was with a pt who had a really wierd facial structure....almost no chin or jaw line.

vashtee, RN · Jun 23, 2009

I tried the rolled-up-towel trick, but it didn't work. (I've only had one patient pass away during my shift so far). Maybe I'll try tilting the head forward a bit next time.

nerdtonurse?, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2009

What I've done is get a really worn out pillow, roll it up, and stick it under the chin while I'm doing postmortem care (putting in dentures, changing the gown, linens, removing invasive lines, suction canisters, etc.). Right before the family comes in, I take the pillow out, turn down the lights, pull the sheet up and leave their hands out. Families want to touch hands and hair and face. I always try to make sure there's not pool of spit in the mouth. I had one daughter (flipped out drama queen, even before her mom really did get sick) who got in bed with her mom and tried to pull her into an embrace. Mom's mouth fell open, and a pool of spittle drooled down the daughter's neck. She screamed and threw her mom away from her. I can still hear the "twack" when her head hit the bed rail.

vashtee, RN · Jun 23, 2009

I had one daughter (flipped out drama queen, even before her mom really did get sick) who got in bed with her mom and tried to pull her into an embrace. Mom's mouth fell open, and a pool of spittle drooled down the daughter's neck. She screamed and threw her mom away from her. I can still hear the "twack" when her head hit the bed rail.

Ahahaha!

I don't suppose I was supposed to laugh, was I?