POST MORTEM CARE

(Prof. Lucila Buenviaje)

Definition: It is a physical care as to prepare the dead body of a patient for family
viewing and transferring the body to the mortuary. A registered nurse
(RN) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN) is responsible for ensuring that
all aspects of post mortem care are completed. It is important to make the
body appear natural and comfortable. Post mortem care should be carried
out according to the policy of the hospital.

Purposes:

1. To clean and prepare the patient’s body before it is transported to the morgue
2. To prepare the patient’s body for family viewing

Equipment:

 Bathing supplies
 Face towels (2)
 Basin
 Shroud or morgue bag
 3 Identification tag
 Protective pads, if necessary (Diaper)
 Cotton Balls
 Rolls of gauze and abdominal pads, if necessary to secure limbs together.
 Paper bags or plastic bags for personal belongings
 Guerney or specialized morgue cart.

Assessment:

1. Verify that patient has been pronounced dead by physician.

2. Identify cadaver, and collect his/ her belongings for labeling.

Planning:

1. Prepare the necessary materials/equipment

1.1 bathing materials
1.2 shroud or morgue bag
1.3 3 identification tags
1.4 protective pads
1.5 roll of gauze and abdominal pads; if necessary to secure limbs together
1.6 paper bags or plastic bags to secure personal belongings
1.7 gourney or specialized morgue bag
1.8 cotton balls
1.9 paper tape

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 2. If there are any other patients or visitors in the room, carefully explain the situation
and ask them to temporarily leave the room if possible.
3. Follow the hospital policy procedure regarding notification of various departments
and personnel

Implementation:

Criteria Rationale
1. Wash hands. Put on mask and wear Washing hands, putting on mask/s and
gloves by following standard wearing gloves and taking standard
precautions if contact with blood or precautions prevent the spread of
body fluids cannot be voided. infections.
( Carter 2012)
2. Identify the cadaver. Ensures that the procedure is done to the
right patient
3. Explain the procedure to the In order for the significant others to know
patient’s relatives. what procedure is to be performed and
help them understand how they can help.
4. Provide privacy by pulling the Closing the door and curtain protects the
curtains or enclosing the cubicle by person’s right to privacy despite of being
the divider dead. (Carter,2012)
5. Remove jewelries or any personal For legal purposes, so you will not be
items of the patient, placed it on a charge of theft
plastic bag and give them to the
significant others.
6. Maintain proper alignment of the This is done to prevent pooling of fluids in
body. Raise the head of the bed the head or face.
slightly.
7. If possible, put on dentures, if any. This is done to maintain original shape of
the face and mouth. (Smith,2011)
8. Remove any external objects This eliminates unnecessary equipment
causing pressure or injury to the and maintain skin integrity of the body.
skin (Timby,2012)
9. Following hospital policy, remove,
cut, and secure any tubes, drains or
monitoring lines
10. Following hospital policy, secure or
replace dressings.
11. Cleanse the body as needed. A This ensures delivery of a hygienic body.
partial bath may be required to
remove secretions, wound drainage,
stains, etc.
12. Close the eyes. If necessary, use This ensures that it will close when the
paper tape or gauze pads. You may body is prepared. (Timby,2012)
do this after the family has visited
the deceased.

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 Criteria Rationale
13. Place protective incontinent pad This absorbs secretions such as stool and
under the buttocks and between legs urine. (Timby,2012)
in diaper fashion
14. If the family is to visit the deceased, This demonstrates respect for the dignity
provide clean linen and gown to of the deceased person. (Timby,2012)
patient.
15. After the family and clergy have This facilitates accurate identification of
visited, attach ID tags to the (1) big the body. (Timby,2012)
toe, (2) wrist, (3) morgue bag or as
determined by standard procedure.
16. Tie the limbs loosely together, using This prevents damage to tissue that will be
padding and gauze roll. Attach wrist visible. (Timby,2012)
and ankles, by overlapping them
using proper alignment.
17. Wrap the body with linen in a This demonstrates respect for the dignity
diamond fashion. of the deceased person. (Timby,2012)
18. Place the body in the shroud or in
the bag.
19. Label all personal belongings and
This ensures safety keeping and
place in a bag. accountability for valuables until a family
member claims them. (Timby,2012)
20. Close doors to patient’s room and This provides temporary location for the
clear hallways in preparation to body until mortuary personnel
transfer the body to the morgue arrives.(Timby,2012)
21. Disposed the equipment used for Reduces transmission and growth of
cleansing patient and wash hands. microorganisms. (Potter 2015)

Evaluation:

Chart the following:

1. The events leading to the actual death.i.e, termination of the vital signs, etc.
2. The exact time the physician was informed and death was pronounced.
3. When family members or significant others are notified.
4. Death certificate.
5. Condition of the body and post mortem care delivered.
6. Time the body and belongings were sent to the morgue.

Nursing Considerations:

1. All deceased are treated with respect while being provided end-of-life care.
2. Family members are allowed to participate activities to complete end-of-life care
needs.
3. Religious practices, cultural rituals, and any other request are taken into
consideration and implemented as much as possible during this period.

Post Mortem Care |3

4. A registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) is responsible for
ensuring that all aspects of post mortem care are completed; the family of the
deceased may participate in aspects of the care.

Post Mortem Care |4

 CENTRO ESCOLAR UNIVERSITY
Manila * Makati * Malolos

SCHOOL OF NURSING

PROCEDURE CHECKLIST

Post Mortem Care

Name of Student Score

Year/Section/Group/Number

Rate the student's performance by checking the appropriate box using the following criteria:
5 - Excellent (Carries out procedures efficiently, systematically and independently/Personality trait is observed at all times)
4 - Very Satisfactory (Carries out procedures efficiently and systematically but requires minimal guidance and
supervision/Personality trait is observed at all times)
3 - Satisfactory (Carries out the procedures efficiently and systematically but requires moderate guidance and
supervision/Personality trait is observed at all times)
2 - Fair (Carries out the procedures efficiently and systematically but requires close guidance and supervision/Personality
trait is observed at all times)
1 - Poor (Carries out the procedures inefficiently, unsystematically even under close guidance and supervision/Personality
trait is observed at all times)
0 - Not done

Criteria 5 4 3 2 1 0
ASSESSMENT
1. Verify that patient has been pronounced dead by
physician.
2. Identify cadaver, and collect his/ her belongings for
labeling.
PLANNING
1. Prepare the necessary materials/equipment
1.1 bathing materials
1.2 shroud or morgue bag
1.3 3 identification tags
1.4 protective pads
1.5 roll of gauze and abdominal pads; if necessary to
secure limbs together
1.6 paper bags or plastic bags to secure personal
belongings
1.7 gourney or specialized morgue bag
1.8 cotton balls
1.9 paper tape
2. If there are any other patients or visitors in the room,
carefully explain the situation and ask them to
temporarily leave the room if possible.
3. Follow the hospital policy procedure regarding
notification of various departments and personnel
IMPLEMENTATION
1. Wash hands. Put on mask and wear gloves by following
standard precautions if contact with blood or body fluids
cannot be voided.
2. Identify the cadaver.
3. Explain the procedure to the patient’s relatives.
4. Provide privacy by pulling the curtains or enclosing the

Post Mortem Care

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 cubicle by the divider
Criteria 5 4 3 2 1 0
5. Remove jewelries or any personal items of the patient,
placed it on a plastic bag and give them to the significant
others.
6. Maintain proper alignment of the body. Raise the head of
the bed slightly.
7. If possible, put on dentures, if any.
8. Remove any external objects causing pressure or injury to
the skin
9. Following hospital policy, remove, cut, and secure any
tubes, drains or monitoring lines
10. Following hospital policy, secure or replace dressings.
11. Cleanse the body as needed. A partial bath may be
required to remove secretions, wound drainage, stains,
etc.
12. Close the eyes. If necessary, use paper tape or gauze pads.
You may do this after the family has visited the deceased.
13. Place protective incontinent pad under the buttocks and
between legs in diaper fashion
14. If the family is to visit the deceased, provide clean linen
and gown to patient.
15. After the family and clergy have visited, attach ID tags to
the (1) big toe, (2) wrist, (3) morgue bag or as determined
by standard procedure.
16. Tie the limbs loosely together, using padding and gauze
roll. Attach wrist and ankles, by overlapping them using
proper alignment.
17. Wrap the body with linen in a diamond fashion.
18. Place the body in the shroud or in the bag.
19. Label all personal belongings and place in a bag.
20. Close doors to patient’s room and clear hallways in
preparation to transfer the body to the morgue
21. Disposed the equipment used for cleansing patient and
wash hands.
EVALUATION
Chart the following:
1. The events leading to the actual death.i.e, termination of
the vital signs, etc.
2. The exact time the physician was informed and death was
pronounced.
3. When family members or significant others are notified.
4. Death certificate.
5. Condition of the body and post mortem care delivered.
6. Time the body and belongings were sent to the morgue.

Total Score:

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 Comments/Suggestions:

Computation: Total Score divided by (number of items) x 20 (factor) = _________________

*Total points shall be transmuted using the table for 100 pts. Passing cut-off point is 65.

Equivalent Numeric Grade: _______________

Interpretation: __________________________

Evaluator: Conforme:

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 Clinical Instructor's Student’s Signature Date:
Printed Name & Signature

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