The nurse is caring for a patient who is rapidly progressing toward brain death. The nurse should be aware of what cardinal signs of brain death? Select all that apply
A) Absence of pain response
B) Apnea
C) Coma
D) Absence of brain stem reflexes
E) Absence of deep tendon reflexes
Ans: B, C, D
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The three cardinal signs of brain death upon clinical examination are coma, the absence of brain stem reflexes, and apnea. Absences of pain response and deep tendon reflexes are not necessarily indicative of brain death.
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