The gradual decrease in body's temperature after death is called?

Appeared in: AIIMS Patna NO - 2020

Explanation

Algor mortis is the correct medical term for the postmortem cooling of the body.
The term is derived from Latin: 'algor' meaning coldness and 'mortis' meaning 'of death'.
After death, all metabolic processes stop, including those that generate heat. The body then loses heat until it equalizes with the temperature of its surroundings.
The rate of cooling is approximately 1°C per hour, although this can be affected by various factors like ambient temperature, clothing, and body fat.

Option A: 'Stiff mortis' is not a correct or recognized medical term. It is a distractor.
Option C: Rigor mortis refers to the stiffening of the body's muscles that occurs after death due to a lack of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). It does not relate to temperature change.
Option D: Livor mortis, or postmortem lividity, is the process where blood settles in the lower (dependent) parts of the body due to gravity, causing a purplish-red discoloration of the skin. It is about blood pooling, not temperature.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Postmortem physiological changes as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses are responsible for providing postmortem care, which includes preparing the body for the family or mortuary. Recognizing these natural changes is essential for handling the deceased with dignity and providing accurate information to the family.
Accurate documentation of the time of death and the state of the body is a critical nursing responsibility. Observing and noting these signs can be important, especially in cases that may require legal investigation.
What if? If a deceased person is found in a very warm environment, the rate of algor mortis would be slower, and decomposition would be faster. A nurse's assessment should consider environmental factors when observing postmortem changes.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of medical terminology related to death.
First, identify the key concept in the question stem: 'gradual decrease in body's temperature after death'.
Next, analyze the options. The suffix '-mortis' indicates a relation to death.
Consider the prefixes: 'Rigor' relates to stiffness, 'Livor' to a bluish color, and 'Algor' to cold.
The term 'Stiff mortis' is not a standard medical term and can be identified as a distractor.
Match the key concept (decrease in temperature/cooling) with the correct prefix ('Algor'). This leads to Algor mortis as the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor pp. 946-948, 951-953

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