PROVIDING POSTMORTEM CARE

Purpose

● To aid in preserving the physical appearance of the deceased

● To prevent discoloration and damage of the corpse skin
● To safeguard all the belongings of the deceased
● To support family members during the initial hours of their bereavement
● To show respect for the deceased

Equipment

● Disposable gloves
● Cloth or disposable gown
● 2 washcloths and towel
● 4x4 inch gauze or other dressing (optional)
● Identification bracelet or body bag
● Dilute bleach mixture (optional)
● Scissor
● Clean linens
● Wash basin with warm, soapy water
● Moist cotton balls
● Clean gown
● Tape
● Clamps
● Linen savers

Goal

● To understand the role of the nurse during the dying process and death. Describe
phases and associated signs/symptoms involved in the dying process.

Criteria Done Not Remarks Rating

done

ASSESSMENT

1. Check the vital functions, and notify the

physician

2. Review hospital policy regarding postmortem

care and notification process.
3. Need for autopsy if death occurs within 24
hours of hospitalization or is the result of
suicide, homicide or unknown causes; or if the
family request an autopsy.

OUTCOME IDENTIFICATION

1. Body and environment are clean, with a natural

appearance.

2. Family views the body with no signs of extreme

distress at its physical appearance.

3. There is no contact with body fluid.

IMPLEMENTATION:

1. Record on the client’s chart the time of death

and the time pronounced dead by physician or
other appropriate authority.

2. Notify family members that the client's status

has changed for the worse, and assist them to a
private room until the physician is available.

3. Return to the client's room and close the door.

4. Perform hand hygiene. Don gloves and an

isolation gown.

5. Remove tubes, such as IV line, nasogastric

catheter, or urinary catheter if allowed and
autopsy is to be done.

6. Hold eyelids closed and until they remain

closed. If they do not remain closed, place moist
4x4 inch gauze or cotton balls on lids until they
remain closed on their own.

7. If unable to remove tubes:

● Clamp IV’s and tubes.
● Coil NG and urinary tubes and tape them
down
● Cut IV tubings as close to clamp as possible,
 cover with 4x4 inch gauze and tape securely.

8. Remove extra equipment from room to utility

room.

9. Wash secretions from face and body.

10. Replace soiled linens and gowns with clean

articles.

11. Place linen savers under the body and

extremities, if needed.

12. Put soiled linens and pads in a bag and remove

them from room.

13. Position client in a supine position with arm at

side, palms down.

14. Place dentures in mouth, put a pillow under

head, close mouth, and place rolled towel under
chin.

15. Remove all jewelry (except wedding band,

unless band is requested by family members)
and give to family with other personal
belongings; record the name(s) or receiver(s).

16. Place a clean top covering over body, leaving

face exposed.

17. Place a chair at the bedside.

18. Dim lighting.

19. After the body has been viewed by the family,

tag clients with appropriate identification.

20. Send a completed death certificate with the

body to the funeral home or complete
paperwork required by the hospital and send
the body to the morgue.

21. Close doors of clients in the hall through which

body is transported, if hospital policy.
22. Restore and dispose of equipment, supplies and
linens properly; remove gown and gloves and
perform hand hygiene.

23. Have the room cleaned: use special cleaning

supplies if a client has an infection.

EVALUATION

1. Desired outcome met when:

● Body and environment are clean, with a
natural appearance
● Family viewed body with no signs of
extreme distress at its physical appearance
● There was no contact (staff or others) with
body fluids)

DOCUMENTATION

1. The following should be noted on the client’s

chart:
● Time of death and code information, if
performed
● Notification of physician and family
members
● Response of family members disposal of
valuable and belongings
● Time body was removed from room
● Location to which body was transferred

Evaluator

________________________ ________________________ ________________________

Clinical Instructor’s Name Student’s Name and Date

and Signature Signature