A ventilator dependent patient has been in a coma for several weeks. The nurse realizes that this state of consciousness is reversible since the patient has been assessed to have
1. normal cardiac rhythm.
2. brain function.
3. clear breath sounds.
4. adequate urine output.
2
Rationale: Coma is characterized by the absence of arousal and awareness and may be reversible as long as brain function continues. Since the patient has been assessed to have brain function, the patient is not brain dead and the coma can be reversed. Normal cardiac rhythm, clear breath sounds, or an adequate urine output do not help in determining if a coma can be reversed.
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