Brain Death Lecture Notes

A collection of flashcards covering key concepts related to brain death, including definitions, brain functions, causes, evaluations, and ethical considerations.

Brain Death

The permanent and complete loss of all brain function in both the cerebrum and brainstem.

Cerebrum

The largest part of the brain, responsible for complex processing, attention, judgment, emotion, self-control, imagination, and voluntary movement.

Brainstem

The part of the brain responsible for involuntary functions such as swallowing, breathing, heartbeat, and wakefulness.

Broca's Area

A region in the frontal lobe that is crucial for speech production.

Wernicke's Area

An area associated with the comprehension of speech, located in the temporal lobe.

Cerebellum

The part of the brain that coordinates voluntary movements and maintains balance.

Motor Cortex

The area of the brain responsible for planning and executing movement.

Persistent Coma

A condition in which a person does not respond to stimuli and has no cognitive function.

what causes brain death

loss of blood flow to brain- stroke, heart attack, bleeding 

trauma

evaluating brain death

• PERFORMED BY A PROVIDER

• MUST HAVE A NORMAL BODY TEMPERATURE, NO SEDATING OR PARALYZING DRUGS, REVERSAL OF REVERSIBLE CONDITIONS SUCH AS HYPER/HYPOGLYCEMIA AND ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCES

Criteria:

PERSISTENT COMA – NO EYE, VERBAL OR MOVEMENT RESPONSE TO PAINFUL STIMULI

• NO BRAINSTEM REFLEXES – NO PUPILLARY RESPONSE, NO COUGH/GAG REFLEX

• CANNOT BREATHE WITHOUT ASSISTANC

role of the nurse

• FREQUENT NEURO ASSESSMENTS

• PATIENT ADVOCACY

• FAMILY TRUST

Support

CHAPLAIN

• PALLIATIVE CARE

ORGAN DONATION

Palliative Care

A multi-dimensional approach aimed at improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses.

Ethics

A set of moral principles, beliefs, and values that guide decision making.

Organ Donation

The process of giving an organ to be transplanted into another person.