ABMDI-D Exam Questions and Complete
Solutions Graded A+
ANECEPHALIC - Answer: An infant born without a brain
BEREAVEMENT - Answer: Sorrow following the death of a loved one
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
CARDIAC DEATH - Answer: Final cessation of activity in the cardiovascular system involving the heart and
blood vessels
CESSATION - Answer: The final stoppage of action
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.
JURISDICTION - Answer: The power of authority a court or office has over individuals or trauma
LNOK - Answer: The person from whom the medicolegal death investigator must secure consent before
initiating any procurement activity
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.
OPO (organ procurement organization) - Answer: The agency responsible for identifying potential
donors, obtaining consent, and procuring organs
,POSTMORTEM CHANGES - Answer: Alterations of the body following death, including decomposition
and environmental resuscitative injuries
STATUTES - Answer: Laws enacted by the legislative branch of government
VERIFY - Answer: Establish or confirm the accuracy of information or evidence through testimony
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
Solutions Graded A+
ANECEPHALIC - Answer: An infant born without a brain
BEREAVEMENT - Answer: Sorrow following the death of a loved one
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
CARDIAC DEATH - Answer: Final cessation of activity in the cardiovascular system involving the heart and
blood vessels
CESSATION - Answer: The final stoppage of action
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.
JURISDICTION - Answer: The power of authority a court or office has over individuals or trauma
LNOK - Answer: The person from whom the medicolegal death investigator must secure consent before
initiating any procurement activity
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.
OPO (organ procurement organization) - Answer: The agency responsible for identifying potential
donors, obtaining consent, and procuring organs
,POSTMORTEM CHANGES - Answer: Alterations of the body following death, including decomposition
and environmental resuscitative injuries
STATUTES - Answer: Laws enacted by the legislative branch of government
VERIFY - Answer: Establish or confirm the accuracy of information or evidence through testimony
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
