The nurse is caring for a patient who has just died. Which assessment findings by the physician and nurse are used to confirm that death has occurred? (Select all that apply.)
a. The patient was incontinent of bowel and bladder.
b. The patient's pupils are fixed and dilated.
c. The physician does not hear a heartbeat.
d. The patient's extremities are cool and mottled.
e. The patient has no palpable peripheral pulses.
f.
The patient's face is relaxed and the mouth is open.
ANS: B, C, E
Assessment findings that confirm death has occurred include lack of pulse/heartbeat and fixed dilated pupils. Cool, mottled extremities, relaxed muscles, and incontinence are common assessment findings in patients who are dying.
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