A preschool-age age child with severe head trauma is intubated and on a respirator. The child has three flat electroencephalograms (EEGs) completed 24 hours apart

Question

The electrocardiogram (ECG) shows a rate of 90 beats per minute in a normal sinus rhythm. Which term should the nurse use when documenting these findings? 1. Imminent death
2. Brain death
3. Natural death
4. Heart–lung death

Answer 1

2
Explanation:
1. Imminent death means physical death is inevitable within a period of time.
2. Cerebral death, or brain death, is the irreversible cessation of all brain functions, including those of the cerebral cortex and brainstem, manifested by the absence of brain waves on EEG.
3. Natural death is allowing cessation of all body functions without extraordinary medical interventions.
4. Heart–lung death, the irreversible cessation of cardiorespiratory functions, has not occurred because the child is being mechanically ventilated.