Clinical Vs Biological Death

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Clinical death vs Biological Death.

Before discussing Clinical vs Biological death, let us look at each of the terms individually to get a better understanding.

Clinical death

We can define it as the period of respiratory, circulatory and brain arrest during which initiation of resuscitation can lead to recovery. Note that because of this reason, Clinical death is therefore reversible. It usually begins with either the last agonal inhalation or the last cardiac contraction.
Some of the Indications of clinical death are;

• Absence of Pulse or blood pressure and is completely responsiveness to the most painful stimulus.

“Clinical vs Biological Death”

Biological Death

what is biological death?

This is a sure sign of death. Biological death sets in after clinical death and is an irreversible state
of cellular destruction. It manifests with irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory
Uterine balloon tamponade, or cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem. This type of death is irreversible.

Also read: Mara Moja

From the above, you can note the differences between Clinical and Biological death. One should NOTE that there are universal criteria to certify Biological Death.

criteria to certify Biological Death.

• Simultaneous onset of apnoea and unconsciousness.
• There is an absence of circulation that is irreversible leading to cardiac arrest.

How to examine for Biological death;

When asked to examine, you can use a systematic A to E approach:

• Airway / Breathing.
  • There will be no respiratory effort and no audible breath sounds.
  • We do this by Auscultation for more than a minute.
• Circulation – Auscultate for the heart. Also, palpate for a pulse for more than a minute.
  • There will be no palpable pulse nor an audible heart sound.
• Check for a pupillary response and any motor response to stimuli, for example, pain.
  • The pupils are fixed, dilated and unresponsive to light.
  • The patient will also be peripherally cold. This will depend on the timing of the examination.

Test your understanding

when does biological death occur?

Give biological death examples

is clinical death reversible?

What are the signs of biological death?

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