What are the criteria for declaring a patient clinically brain dead?
What will be an ideal response?
Criteria for determining brain death are not universally agreed on. Guidelines vary by state
and institution. General criteria include absent brainstem reflexes (e.g., a complete absence
of spontaneous movement and breathing, pupils nonreactive to light, no corneal reflex, no
oculovestibular reflex to ice water calorics); a flat electroencephalogram (EEG) for 24 hours, which
indicates that there is no electrical activity in the brain; and coma irreversibility continued over a
specific timeframe. Brain stem auditory evoked responses and cerebral blood flow studies, including
transcranial Doppler, angiography, and brain scan with a cerebral perfusion agent, also might be
used to help confirm brain death.
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The nurse has identified a research problem. What is the next step for this student?
a. Conduct a literature review. b. Address ethical procedures. c. Collect data. d. Analyze data.
Which of these terms describes the developmental task of pregnancy that occurs as the mother incorporates the growing fetus into her body image?
a. fetal distinction c. pregnancy validation b. fetal embodiment d. role transition
During convalescence a team approach to rehabilitation of the stroke victim begins. It is helpful to be knowledgeable about the relative importance of predictors of stroke outcome so that stroke survivors and their families can set realistic goals
What are the predictors of stroke outcome? (Mark all that apply.) A) NIHSS score B) Race C) Level of consciousness at time of admission D) Gender E) Age
The nurse monitoring a client with adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) would closely assess for
a. atelectasis. b. cor pulmonale. c. pneumonia. d. pulmonary edema.