Immediately after an expected death, the jaw relaxes, a small amount of fluid escapes from the mouth and brief muscle movements occur. The family

Question

Immediately after an expected death, the jaw relaxes, a small amount of fluid escapes from the mouth and brief muscle movements occur. The family fear that the patient is still suffering. What explanation is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Verify death, explain the normal changes and offer family time with the body

Answer

Ask relatives to leave until rigor mortis is complete and the body is transferred

Answer

Seek coroner advice because brief muscle movement suggests an unexpected death

Answer

Treat the findings as opioid toxicity and administer naloxone after verification

Answer

Treat the movements as return of consciousness and administer sedation before verification

Physical Changes After Death — SCE Palliative Medicine MCQ

Immediately after an expected death, the jaw relaxes, a small amount of fluid escapes from the mouth and brief muscle movements occur. The family fear that the patient is still suffering. What explanation is most accurate?