A pre-hospital team is called to an elderly care home where a 90-year-old resident has been found dead in bed by staff. The body is cold and stiff wit...

Question

A pre-hospital team is called to an elderly care home where a 90-year-old resident has been found dead in bed by staff. The body is cold and stiff with dependent lividity. Staff are requesting that you commence CPR. What is the correct response?

Accepted Answer

Recognition of Life Extinct (ROLE) - the body has signs incompatible with life (rigor mortis and dependent lividity); CPR should NOT be commenced; document the findings and notify the appropriate authorities

Answer

Commence CPR for 20 minutes then stop

Answer

Only a doctor can pronounce death - commence CPR until a doctor arrives

Answer

Contact the patient's GP before making any decision

Answer

Commence CPR - all patients found in cardiac arrest must receive CPR

uk-dipimc MCQ (SBA): Recognition of Life Extinct

A pre-hospital team is called to an elderly care home where a 90-year-old resident has been found dead in bed by staff. The body is cold and stiff with dependent lividity. Staff are requesting that you commence CPR. What is the correct response?