Wisconsin CNA State Exam Vocabulary Practice

What does the term "rigor mortis" mean?

1. Any attribute, characteristic or exposure of an individual that increases the likelihood of developing a disease or injury.

2. Expectations and limits.

3. Freedom from harm or danger or the state of being safe.

4. Latin for "stiffness of death"; refers to the stiffness that occurs after death due to muscles becoming rigid.

The correct answer is: Latin for "stiffness of death"; refers to the stiffness that occurs after death due to muscles becoming rigid.

The term "rigor mortis" is accurately defined as "stiffness of death." This condition occurs after an individual has died, leading to the body’s muscles becoming rigid due to chemical changes in the muscles. Specifically, it describes a postmortem process where the body's muscles temporarily stiffen and can affect various parts of the body, affecting how the body is handled during examination or burial. Understanding rigor mortis is essential in medical and forensic contexts, as it helps professionals determine the time of death and understand the physical changes the body undergoes after life ceases. The other options do not pertain to the biological process described by rigor mortis and instead relate to general concepts of risk, expectations, or safety. These distinctions clarify why the correct term specifically points to the postmortem condition that occurs within muscles after death.