Standard post-mortem care positioning is to:
Explanation
Standard post-mortem care: supine, good body alignment, head slightly elevated on a pillow (to prevent facial discoloration from blood pooling), eyelids gently closed, dentures replaced before rigor mortis (begins ~2-4 hours after death), clean linens, and dignity maintained. Identify body per facility policy (usually two ID tags: wrist/ankle and outside of shroud or bag). Honor cultural practices first. Side-lying (b), prone (c), and fetal (d) are not standard and may impair dignity and identification. 42 CFR §483.10 protects dignity in all care, including post-mortem.
Law Reference: 42 CFR §483.10; Title 22 CCR §72527This topic, taught in full in the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) guide. CNA — Complete Study Guide (2026) — PDF + EPUB, $19.99 · 14-day refund →
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