Stiff: The Curious Lives Of Human Cadaver

436 Words1 Page
bulb-icon

Recommended: Questions on medical terminology

A beating heart cadaver in our culture is identified as a human body that is legally “brain dead” but the body’s organs are kept alive by machinery in order to keep the bodies organs from collapsing before they can be transplanted into another body. In the book “Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers” by Mary Roach, she explains her experience with her patient she named H and explained, “H is unique... She is what’s known as a ‘beating-heart cadaver,’ alive and well everywhere but her brain. Body will not breathe on its own… Hook it up to a respirator and its heart will beat and the rest of its organs will, for a matter of days”(Roach 167). Without a respirator, a beating heart cadaver will not function. Being confronted with a beating …show more content…

Unreceptively and unresponsively. “Even the most intensely painful stimuli evoke no vocal or other response, not even a groan, withdrawal of a limb or quickening of respiration,” (Ward 28). No movements or spontaneous breathing (being aided by a respirator does not count). Doctors must follow patients for at least one time of day to make sure they make no spontaneous muscular movements or spontaneous breathing. To try the latter, physicians are to bend off the respirator for three transactions to determine if the patient attempts to take a breather on his own (the trial).No reflexes. To look for reflexes, doctors are to shine a light in the eyes to make sure the pupils are enlarged. Muscles are tested. Ice water is poured in the ears. Doctors should use “electroencephalography, a test of great confirmatory value,”(Ward 32) to make sure that the patient has flat brain waves. After none of the criterions respond to the recipient, the doctor must “legally” declare the person brain dead. This is where family members often have difficult deciding whether they should continue having their loved one under life support. The respirator will continue to keep the persons organs alive for a certain period of time but family members must confront with a decision if they would want to donate or continue to have them

Show More
Related

  • Bones: The Real World Of Forensic Science

    720 Words  | 2 Pages

    Since the airing of the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and the other televised series that followed have led jurors to compare fiction with reality. The shows have changed the view on the real world of forensic science as the series have a world of forensic science of their own. For this paper the televised series titled Bones by forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs will be used as an example for comparison. In the series Bones Dr. Temperance Brenan arrives at the scene of the crime to examine the skeletal remains found in the scene of the crime equipped with one or more forensic kits. Upon momentarily examining the skeletal remains Dr. Brenan is able to determine the gender, ethnicity, and age. When this type of scenario is compared to nonfictional

    Read More

  • The Cadaver Who Joined the Army, by Mary Roach

    1338 Words  | 3 Pages

    The demand for human cadaver research continues to exist. Countless notions have been voiced to augment the supply of human cadavers. Science writer Mary Roach believes that our bodies are of significant importance above ground instead of below. In “The Cadaver Who Joined the Army” Mary Roach primarily focuses on the benefits of human cadaver research and how cadaver donation can be rewarding. Mary Roach bypasses the super-replicator beliefs of human cadaver research and highlights the joy one will receive after donating their body to research. Psychologist Daniel Gilbert primarily focuses on how surrogates pass on super-replicators in which we consider truthful. In “Reporting Live From Tomorrow” Gilbert presumes that e rely on super-replicators to make choices that will determine happiness. As a surrogate, Mary Roach convinces us that through informed consent, our decision to donate our bodies to cadaver research will bring happiness.

    Read More

  • Response And Treatment Of Deteriorating Patients

    730 Words  | 2 Pages

    However, this approach not only lacks objectivity, but it also fails to acknowledge the abnormal physiology that precedes this breakdown in self-care. For instance, it has been reported that 70% of patients preceding cardio-pulmonary arrest had a physiological decline in respiratory or mental function (Schein et al 1990). Observing deterioration in activities of daily living alone does not accurately mirror underlying physiological deterioration occurring in patients.

    Read More

  • The Vile Bodies

    2265 Words  | 5 Pages

    The postwar England of the twenties and thirties was the setting of Evelyn Waugh’s first satirical novels, among which was the Vile Bodies. Waugh, an author mostly known for his highly satirical fiction, published his novel Vile Bodies in 1930 right in the middle of the time-period between the Great Wars. Because of the historical evens that occupied England at that time, much of British Literature of the late 1920’s and early 1930’s was concerned with the Modernist movement, which was occupied with the idea of individualism of the young generation. Through the use of prominent and yet highly satirical characters, Waugh strives to criticize his Modernist generation for its unsuccessful movement into Modernism, both on the individual and political/institutional level. He does so by defining his type-characters as ignorant, self-centered and hypocritical in their disastrous movement toward individualism.

    Read More

  • Explain What Role Does Autonomy Play A Role In This Case

    232 Words  | 1 Pages

    - Autonomy played a role in this case she, as the patient at her appointment made it very clear to her physician that for any reason she does not want to be intubated or put on a ventilator because she due to the level of discomfort, loss of control, and loss of dignity.

    Read More

  • Summary: Living Wills And Durable Power Of Attorney

    522 Words  | 2 Pages

    This document must be signed by the patient with a witness(es) present, and will go into effect only when a patient has lost capacity to make health care decisions (terminal illness and/or in a state of permanent unconsciousness). A living will is so valuable in health care situation because it provide guidelines for healthcare providers and patient’s surrogate decision maker(s) to follow his/her wishes (Sabatino, C.). In order to withdraw life-sustaining treatments, two physicians must confirmed that patient in a terminal condition or permanent unconsciousness

    Read More

  • Mary Roach Chapter Summaries

    642 Words  | 2 Pages

    Introduction: Mary Roach introduces herself ass a person who has her own perspective of death about cadavers. She explains the benefits of cadavers and why they could be used for scientific improvements. She acknowledges the negative perspectives of this ideology.

    Read More

  • Studying the Human Anatomy: A Mink

    2433 Words  | 5 Pages

    A mink is a good specimen to study the human anatomy because it is so closely related in internal features to that of a human being. Since these features are so closely related it provides a sort of “model” that can be used in order to better understand the anatomy of humans.

    Read More

  • Mary Roach's Essay 'How To Know If You Are Dead'

    1833 Words  | 4 Pages

    Oz (New York Heart Transplant surgeon) says “they (the families of the brain dead patient) can’t deal with the fear, however irrational, that the true end of their loved one will come when the heart is removed” (Dr. Oz, 7). This premise leads up to the main claim since it states why there aren’t enough donors in the world and why there is a long transplant waiting list too. Also it helps explain that even though the patient is brain dead, you should still treat them as a patient and have some

    Read More

  • Mortuary Science

    1709 Words  | 4 Pages

    Imagine yourself as a mortician, certified as an embalmer, retort operator, funeral director, and a funeral cosmetologist. You get a call late at night, there’s been a terrible accident and someone has died. You arrive at the hospital and are directed to a small room where the body of the deceased is being held. There’s blood all over the sheets as the doctor and coronary assistant zip up the body bag and inform you the body was badly mangled in a car accident, which is going to make reconstructing the deceased very difficult. Your assistant puts the body on the stretcher and loads it into the hearse while you talk to the wife of the deceased man. She tells you they plan to have a funeral so you give her your card and a reassuring word before leaving the hospital and driving back to the funeral home. Now your job begins, not only will you have to reconstruct this man’s disfigured body, but you must meet with the family, discuss funeral arrangements, and deal with the family’s emotional trauma that comes with losing a loved one. Although working in the funeral business can be emotionally draining, it’s a satisfying feeling to see mourning families able to say goodbye to their loved ones. Despite the fact that working so closely with the deceased can be chilling, Mortuary science can be a thrilling field to work in.

    Read More

  • Patient Ethical Dilemmas

    798 Words  | 2 Pages

    Patients receiving end of life care can often be on mechanical ventilation. A ventilator is a machine that provides all ventilation and oxygenation needs a patient may need. Mechanical Ventilators are often used in acute care settings, such as surgery, drug overdose, or injury. However, many patients need a ventilator to survive long term and are often terminal. Respiratory therapists are trained to manage diseases of the pulmonary system and airway. Respiratory therapists are part of every aspect of healthcare. They manage patients on mechanical ventilation and the maintenance and operation of the ventilator. A Respiratory Therapist may find terminal weaning to be unethical whether the patient is conscious, brain dead, the patient’s preference, quality of life, or there may be family conflict involved. Terminal weaning goes against a Respiratory Therapists code of ethics of do no harm. Although, the therapist has broken no laws some feel as though they have broken the code of morality and religion. The work place must have a support system in place for the

    Read More

  • Nonverbal Communication

    1071 Words  | 3 Pages

    Who would have thought as a physician there’s so many ways to communicate with your patients and their families? After having so many years in medical school most people would like to think that it’s common sense when speaking to a patient, patient’s family, coworkers and even supervisors. Sadly, many fail to realize that being in medical school doesn’t mean you also obtain the correct social skills when telling a patient’s family that he or she is dead. Communicating with patients are key to solving unexplainable causes when the data cannot prove it. Talking to the patient, learning where they have been, what’s been going in their body, and how they feel are important for patient care and can even help diagnose that patient. In the medical

    Read More

  • Legal and Ethical Aspects of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

    545 Words  | 2 Pages

    It is very important to discuss resuscitation efforts with patients, once they are admitted to the hospital. Regardless of the patient’s situation, they have the right to choose the care provided to them. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, “is an emergency procedure performed on individuals who experience a cardiac arrest” (p.420). There are numerous conditions or health problems that can bring about the need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation may come about suddenly or gradually. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation can bring about legal ethical issues if not handled correctly. It is important to discuss cardiopulmonary resuscitation status with patients because it can unwanted harm to the patient, legal

    Read More

  • Forensics Anthropology

    882 Words  | 2 Pages

    Forensics Anthropology is the study that goes beyond the human skeleton. A forensics anthropologist can find out. How a person lived, the food that person ate, and the overall make-up of a human. The use of forensics has grown in recent years, it is used to solve crimes and locate missing persons. Snow, (1982) Forensics anthropology is not a new science. The first case forensics anthropology was used on was the Jezebel case, dating back to the nineteenth century. This case involved a person, who was thrown from a window. Snow, (1982) The remains found in this case were the skull, feet, and the palm of the victim’s hands.

    Read More

  • Vital Signs Reflection

    1577 Words  | 4 Pages

    There are 2 types of breathing, costal and diaphragmatic breathing (Berman, 2015). Costal refers to the intercostal and accessory muscles while diaphragmatic refers to breathing using your diaphragm (Berman, 2015).It is important to understand the two different types of breathing because it is vital in the assessment of the patient. For example, if a patient is suing their accessory muscles to aid in breathing then we can safely assume that they are having breathing problems and use a focused assessment of their respiration. Assessing respiration is fairly straightforward. The patient’s respiration rate can be affected by anxiety so a useful to avoid this is to check pulse first and after you have finished that, while still holding their pulse point, check their respiration rate. Inconspicuous assessment avoids the patient changing their breathing because they know they are being assessed which patients can sometimes do subconsciously. Through textbooks and practical classes I have learned what to be aware of while assessing a patient’s respiratory rate. For example; their normal breathing pattern, if and how their health problems are affecting their breathing, any medications that could affect their respiratory rate and also the rate, depth, rhythm and quality of their breathing (Berman, 2015). The only problem I found while assessing respiration rate was I thought it seemed a bit invasive looking at the

    Read More

More about Stiff: The Curious Lives Of Human Cadaver

Open Document