ABMDI Questions with Correct Answers (Grade A+)
Question 1: BEREAVEMENT
Answer: Sorrow following the death of a loved one
Question 2: BRAIN DEATH
Answer: Final cessation of activity in the central nervous system, as indicated by a flat EEG or absence of
cerebral blood flow for a predetermined period of time
Question 3: CARDIAC DEATH
Answer: Final cessation of activity in the cardiovascular system involving the heart and blood vessels
Question 4: CESSATION
Answer: The final stoppage of action
Question 5: CORONER
Answer: Typically an elected official who decides whether a death occurred under circumstances that
require an autopsy, either by law or to determine manner or cause.
Question 6: JURISDICTION
Answer: The power of authority a court or office has over individuals or trauma
Question 7: LNOK
Answer: The person from whom the medicolegal death investigator must secure consent before initiating
any procurement activity
Question 8: MEDICAL EXAMINER
Answer: Usually a medical doctor, although not necessary a highly trained pathologist. Like a coroner, a
ME decides whether a death occurred under circumstances that may require an autopsy and who will
perform it if the ME is not qualified.
Question 9: OPO (organ procurement organization)
Answer: The agency responsible for identifying potential donors, obtaining consent, and procuring organs
Question 10: POSTMORTEM CHANGES
Answer: Alterations of the body following death, including decomposition and environmental resuscitative
injuries
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,Question 11: STATUTES
Answer: Laws enacted by the legislative branch of government
Question 12: VERIFY
Answer: Establish or confirm the accuracy of information or evidence through testimony
Question 13: VITAL STATISTICS
Answer: A gov't agency responsible for maintaining a system of registration and release of records for the
public, including birth, marriage, divorce, an death
Question 14: Official pronouncement of death can:
A. be accomplished only by a physician
B. be accomplished by any medical professional
C. be accomplished by any responsible party
D. be accomplished by on-duty police officiers
E. be determined by state statue and local customs
Answer: E.
Question 15: Authorization to conduct a medicolegal autopsy must be provided by:
A. the decedent's NOK
B. the coroner or ME when jurisdiction is esetablished
C. a will or other document signed before death
D. the treating physician
E. all of the above
Answer: B
Question 16: A previously healthy four-month-old infant is found unresponsive in his crib at home. He
is rushed to a hospital, where he is maintained on a respirator for 26 hours before being declared dead.
No external trauma or disease is noted by the treating physician:
A. the coroner is without jurisdiction because of hospitalization
B. The coroner has jurisdiction because of the unexplained death of an infant
C. The coroner has jurisdiction because of length of hospitalization
D. The absence of trauma precludes the coroner's having jurisdiction
E. Significant trauma will always be apparent on the surface of the body
Answer: B
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, Question 17: Your office is investigating a suspected SIDS death. You should notify your statewide
SIDS program:
A. ASAP following the autopsy
B. within 24 hours of the death
C. within 48 hours of the death
D. within 72 hours of the death
E. within one week of the death
Answer: A
Question 18: In general, which of the following are NOT normally for organ/tissue procurement
purposes?
A. liver and kidneys
B. long bones and pelvis
C. reproductive organs
D. heart valves
E. pancreas and skin
Answer: C
Question 19: Authorization for organ/tissue procurement is considered valid if:
A. a donor designation appears on the decedent's drivers license
B. a donor card with the decedent's name is found in his/her wallet or purse
C. an emergency room physician gives permission
D. the decedent's LNOK or rep has given consent
E. no LNOK can be located
Answer: D
Question 20: The death investigator and a police officer arrive at the scene within minutes of each
other:
A. The police officer is in charge and directs the work
B. The death investigator is in charge and directs the work
C. The best approach is a "team" approach to performing the work
D. Each has specific responsibilities to perform, and they should not interact
E. Work together only if necessary; you represent different agencies
Answer: C
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Question 1: BEREAVEMENT
Answer: Sorrow following the death of a loved one
Question 2: BRAIN DEATH
Answer: Final cessation of activity in the central nervous system, as indicated by a flat EEG or absence of
cerebral blood flow for a predetermined period of time
Question 3: CARDIAC DEATH
Answer: Final cessation of activity in the cardiovascular system involving the heart and blood vessels
Question 4: CESSATION
Answer: The final stoppage of action
Question 5: CORONER
Answer: Typically an elected official who decides whether a death occurred under circumstances that
require an autopsy, either by law or to determine manner or cause.
Question 6: JURISDICTION
Answer: The power of authority a court or office has over individuals or trauma
Question 7: LNOK
Answer: The person from whom the medicolegal death investigator must secure consent before initiating
any procurement activity
Question 8: MEDICAL EXAMINER
Answer: Usually a medical doctor, although not necessary a highly trained pathologist. Like a coroner, a
ME decides whether a death occurred under circumstances that may require an autopsy and who will
perform it if the ME is not qualified.
Question 9: OPO (organ procurement organization)
Answer: The agency responsible for identifying potential donors, obtaining consent, and procuring organs
Question 10: POSTMORTEM CHANGES
Answer: Alterations of the body following death, including decomposition and environmental resuscitative
injuries
Page 1
,Question 11: STATUTES
Answer: Laws enacted by the legislative branch of government
Question 12: VERIFY
Answer: Establish or confirm the accuracy of information or evidence through testimony
Question 13: VITAL STATISTICS
Answer: A gov't agency responsible for maintaining a system of registration and release of records for the
public, including birth, marriage, divorce, an death
Question 14: Official pronouncement of death can:
A. be accomplished only by a physician
B. be accomplished by any medical professional
C. be accomplished by any responsible party
D. be accomplished by on-duty police officiers
E. be determined by state statue and local customs
Answer: E.
Question 15: Authorization to conduct a medicolegal autopsy must be provided by:
A. the decedent's NOK
B. the coroner or ME when jurisdiction is esetablished
C. a will or other document signed before death
D. the treating physician
E. all of the above
Answer: B
Question 16: A previously healthy four-month-old infant is found unresponsive in his crib at home. He
is rushed to a hospital, where he is maintained on a respirator for 26 hours before being declared dead.
No external trauma or disease is noted by the treating physician:
A. the coroner is without jurisdiction because of hospitalization
B. The coroner has jurisdiction because of the unexplained death of an infant
C. The coroner has jurisdiction because of length of hospitalization
D. The absence of trauma precludes the coroner's having jurisdiction
E. Significant trauma will always be apparent on the surface of the body
Answer: B
Page 2
, Question 17: Your office is investigating a suspected SIDS death. You should notify your statewide
SIDS program:
A. ASAP following the autopsy
B. within 24 hours of the death
C. within 48 hours of the death
D. within 72 hours of the death
E. within one week of the death
Answer: A
Question 18: In general, which of the following are NOT normally for organ/tissue procurement
purposes?
A. liver and kidneys
B. long bones and pelvis
C. reproductive organs
D. heart valves
E. pancreas and skin
Answer: C
Question 19: Authorization for organ/tissue procurement is considered valid if:
A. a donor designation appears on the decedent's drivers license
B. a donor card with the decedent's name is found in his/her wallet or purse
C. an emergency room physician gives permission
D. the decedent's LNOK or rep has given consent
E. no LNOK can be located
Answer: D
Question 20: The death investigator and a police officer arrive at the scene within minutes of each
other:
A. The police officer is in charge and directs the work
B. The death investigator is in charge and directs the work
C. The best approach is a "team" approach to performing the work
D. Each has specific responsibilities to perform, and they should not interact
E. Work together only if necessary; you represent different agencies
Answer: C
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