What must be assessed in order to pronounce death in the field?

To accurately pronounce death in the field, the most critical assessment is the apical pulse for a full 60 seconds. This method provides a definitive measure of the heart's activity by listening directly to the heartbeat, which can offer clear evidence of whether the heart is still functioning.

In cases where death is being pronounced, it's essential to ensure that there is no cardiac activity. While checking the heart rate is part of the process, it is crucial to assess the apical pulse over a longer period to confirm the absence of any heartbeat, as shorter assessments may lead to misinterpretation of the patient's condition.

Other options, while they may provide useful information about the patient's status, do not serve as definitive assessments for determining death. For example, checking heart rate for a brief period, assessing a patient's breathing, or verifying a medical bracelet can provide context about the patient's health but do not conclusively indicate the absence of life. Thus, performing a thorough assessment of the apical pulse is the most reliable approach in this critical situation.