The advent of technology has made it increasingly difficult to define the exact point at which death occurs. Which of the following is currently the most commonly-accepted criterion for death?
A) The cessation of blood circulation
B) The inability to perform respiration spontaneously
C) Persistent lack of interaction with outside stimuli
D) The cessation of brain activity
Ans: D
Brain activity, with few exceptions, is said to be nonexistent when flat
electroencephalographic tracings are obtained over a given period, often 48 hours. After this
point, the person may be considered dead, although machines may be supporting the vital
functions of respiration and circulation. Many institutions now accept this definition of cerebral
death and use it as a basis for turning off respirators and stopping other treatments. It is also
used as a basis for determining death when there is a desire to recover organs from the patient.
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