Unit 3 Signs of Impending Death
Respiratory changes
- noisy or irregular respirations - cheyne- strokes respirations
Sensory changes
1) may or may not lose consciousness 2) hallucinations may be present 3) impaired taste, smell 4) blurred vision 5) hearing is the last sense to cease
Musculoskeletal changes
1) difficulty speaking, swallowing, minimal body movement 2) decreased gastrointestinal and urinary tract activity 3) abdominal distention 4) sagging of the jaw 5) bowel and bladder incontinence
Circulatory changes
1) loss of motion, sensation, and reflexes 2) elevated temperature, but cold or clammy skin-perspire 3) cyanosis, pale, grey skin color 4) lowered blood pressure and slow, weak pulse 5) pitting edema