A patient with sepsis as a result of long-term leukemia dies 25 hours after admission to the hospital.A full code was conducted without success.The patient had a urinary catheter,an intravenous line,an oxygen cannula,and a nasogastric tube.What question is priority for the nurse to ask the family before beginning postmortem care?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An autopsy or postmortem examination may be requested by the patient or the patient's family,as part of an institutional policy,or if required by law.Because the patient's death occurred as a result of long-term illness,not under suspicious circumstances,and more than 24 hours after admission to the hospital,whether to conduct a postmortem examination would be decided by the family,and consent would have to be obtained from the family.The nurse needs to know the policy to follow regarding removal of lines when an autopsy is to be done.Asking about bathing the deceased patient is a valid question but is not priority,because the nurse needs to know the protocol to follow if an autopsy is to be done.Finding out which funeral home the deceased patient is to be transported to is valid but is not priority,because other actions must be taken before the deceased patient is transported from the hospital.Removal of lines and tubes is not a decision made by the family if an autopsy is to be done.The nurse must first check the protocol to be followed.

A Patient with Sepsis as a Result of Long-Term Leukemia