ABMDI Scientific Knowledge questions and
answers with solutions
Cause of Death - ANSWER The disease, injury, or combination of
conditions that leads to the death of the individual
Manner of Death - ANSWER A classification of death based on how the
cause of death was brought into play, with the typical options being
natural, accident, suicide, homicide, or undetermined
Cause of Death Statement (Part I) - ANSWER Immediate cause of death
Intermediary cause of death
Underlying cause of death
Immediate Cause of Death - ANSWER The condition that was last to
occur, immediately resulted in the death, and was the result of the
underlying cause of death
Intermediary Cause of Death - ANSWER A condition that was caused by
the underlying cause of death and resulted in the immediate cause of
death or another intermediary cause of death
Underlying Cause of Death - ANSWER The condition (disease or injury)
that started the downhill course of events leading to death
,Cause of Death Statement (Part II) - ANSWER Other significant
conditions
Other Significant Conditions - ANSWER Usually consist of co-existing co-
morbid conditions or additional complications of the underlying cause of
death, which were less important than those listed in Part I
Terminal Events - ANSWER Final common pathways of death and include
such things as cardiopulmonary arrest, asystole, ventricular fibrillation,
respiratory arrest, and electromechanical dissociation (typically, these
should not be listed on a death certificate because they are so common
and non-specific)
Nonspecific Anatomic Processes (NAP's) - ANSWER Consist of anatomic
findings and include such things as pneumonia and cirrhosis, each of
which has multiple underlying causes, and which may be reported on the
death certificate using specific guidelines
Nonspecific Physiologic Derangements (NPD's) - ANSWER Nonanatomical
findings and include such things as hyperkalemia and hypoglycemia,
each of which has multiple possible underlying causes, and which may
be reported on the death certificate using specific guidelines
An individual had insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. He recently
obtained cerebral artery arteriosclerosis which caused him to be in a
bedridden state from a previous stroke. Because he was bedridden, he
obtained infected decubitus ulcers that caused him to obtain systemic
, sepsis and died. How should the death certificate be written? - ANSWER
Part I:
a. Systemic sepsis
b. Due to: Infected decubitus ulcers
c. Due to: Bedridden state from previous stroke
d. Due to: Cerebral artery arteriosclerosis
Part II:
OSC: Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
An individual was a chronic alcoholic who obtained cirrhosis of the liver.
He then had ruptured esophageal varices and died. How should the
death certificate be written? - ANSWER Part I:
a. Ruptured esophageal varices
b. Due to: Cirrhosis of the liver
c. Due to: Chronic alcoholism
d. Due to:
Part II:
OSC:
An individual obtained metastatic carcinoma of the prostate and died.
How should the death certificate be written? - ANSWER Part I:
a. Metastatic carcinoma of prostate
b. Due to:
c. Due to:
answers with solutions
Cause of Death - ANSWER The disease, injury, or combination of
conditions that leads to the death of the individual
Manner of Death - ANSWER A classification of death based on how the
cause of death was brought into play, with the typical options being
natural, accident, suicide, homicide, or undetermined
Cause of Death Statement (Part I) - ANSWER Immediate cause of death
Intermediary cause of death
Underlying cause of death
Immediate Cause of Death - ANSWER The condition that was last to
occur, immediately resulted in the death, and was the result of the
underlying cause of death
Intermediary Cause of Death - ANSWER A condition that was caused by
the underlying cause of death and resulted in the immediate cause of
death or another intermediary cause of death
Underlying Cause of Death - ANSWER The condition (disease or injury)
that started the downhill course of events leading to death
,Cause of Death Statement (Part II) - ANSWER Other significant
conditions
Other Significant Conditions - ANSWER Usually consist of co-existing co-
morbid conditions or additional complications of the underlying cause of
death, which were less important than those listed in Part I
Terminal Events - ANSWER Final common pathways of death and include
such things as cardiopulmonary arrest, asystole, ventricular fibrillation,
respiratory arrest, and electromechanical dissociation (typically, these
should not be listed on a death certificate because they are so common
and non-specific)
Nonspecific Anatomic Processes (NAP's) - ANSWER Consist of anatomic
findings and include such things as pneumonia and cirrhosis, each of
which has multiple underlying causes, and which may be reported on the
death certificate using specific guidelines
Nonspecific Physiologic Derangements (NPD's) - ANSWER Nonanatomical
findings and include such things as hyperkalemia and hypoglycemia,
each of which has multiple possible underlying causes, and which may
be reported on the death certificate using specific guidelines
An individual had insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. He recently
obtained cerebral artery arteriosclerosis which caused him to be in a
bedridden state from a previous stroke. Because he was bedridden, he
obtained infected decubitus ulcers that caused him to obtain systemic
, sepsis and died. How should the death certificate be written? - ANSWER
Part I:
a. Systemic sepsis
b. Due to: Infected decubitus ulcers
c. Due to: Bedridden state from previous stroke
d. Due to: Cerebral artery arteriosclerosis
Part II:
OSC: Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus
An individual was a chronic alcoholic who obtained cirrhosis of the liver.
He then had ruptured esophageal varices and died. How should the
death certificate be written? - ANSWER Part I:
a. Ruptured esophageal varices
b. Due to: Cirrhosis of the liver
c. Due to: Chronic alcoholism
d. Due to:
Part II:
OSC:
An individual obtained metastatic carcinoma of the prostate and died.
How should the death certificate be written? - ANSWER Part I:
a. Metastatic carcinoma of prostate
b. Due to:
c. Due to:
