Final answer:
If dependent lividity is present, the patient can be assumed to be deceased, as it is a post-mortem change indicating the lack of circulation and helps in determining the time of death.
Step-by-step explanation:
If dependent lividity is present, it can be assumed that the patient is deceased. Dependent lividity, also known as livor mortis, is a sign that occurs after death, where the blood settles in the lowest parts of the body due to gravity, creating a purplish coloration on the skin. It indicates a lack of circulation and is one of the post-mortem changes that help in determining the time of death. This condition should not be confused with other health issues such as circulatory shock or jaundice (where bilirubin builds up, causing a yellowish color of skin and mucous membranes), which are related to the living.