Which of the following conditions may indicate withholding resuscitation measures?

Withholding resuscitation measures is often guided by clear clinical criteria, particularly in cases where survival is deemed impossible or in situations of irreversible death. In the scenario presented, decapitation and the presence of rigor mortis are definitive signs that resuscitation measures would not be appropriate or effective.

Decapitation signifies complete and irreversible loss of life, as the vital structures of the body, including the brain and spinal cord, are no longer intact. Rigor mortis, which is the stiffening of the muscles that occurs after death, further confirms that the individual is deceased and that physiological processes have ceased. Together, these indicators provide clear evidence that resuscitation efforts would not change the outcome.

While severe chest pain, cervical spine injury, and respiratory distress are serious medical situations requiring immediate evaluation and intervention, they do not inherently indicate that a person is beyond help. These conditions can often be treated and may still allow for resuscitation, depending on the underlying causes and the overall clinical context. Therefore, the presence of decapitation and rigor mortis is the sole option that justifies withholding resuscitation measures.