The client is maintained on mechanical ventilation, but is found to have irreversible destruction of the cerebral cortex. When documenting this client's condition, which term will the nurse use?
1. Heart-lung death
2. Higher brain death
3. A persistent vegetative state
4. Death
Correct Answer: 2
This client would be classified as experiencing higher brain death or cerebral death because the heart is still breathing and oxygen needs are met by the mechanical ventilator. Heart-lung death is when the heart stops beating and the client no longer is breathing. Higher cerebral brain death is a specific classification of death. A persistent vegetative state indicates the loss of cognitive function and awareness, but complete and irreversible loss of the cerebral cortex has not occurred.
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