What are definitive signs of death observed by an EMT?

Definitive signs of death are critical indicators that emergency medical technicians (EMTs) use to determine whether a person has passed away. Among these signs, both rigor mortis and dependent lividity are noteworthy.

Rigor mortis refers to the stiffening of muscles that occurs several hours after death due to chemical changes in the muscles. It typically begins in the smaller muscles and progresses, marking a clear physical change that is observable.

Dependent lividity, or postmortem hypostasis, is the settling of blood in the lowest parts of the body due to gravity after the heart has stopped beating. This results in a discoloration of the skin that is also a clear indicator of death.

While the other choices may describe conditions that could occur around the time of death or indicate severe health issues, they do not serve as definitive signs. For example, unconsciousness and shallow breathing can be present in living patients who are unresponsive or in critical conditions, and decomposition occurs later and is not immediately recognizable as a sign of death. Therefore, both rigor mortis and dependent lividity are valid criteria that EMTs rely on to confirm that death has occurred.