Brain Death Determination

Author

Bethani Knipfer, Otterbein UniversityFollow

Academic Term

Fall 2014

Document Type

Project

Course Number

NURS 5330

Course Name

Advanced Pathophysiology

Professor’s Name

John D. Chovan, James. R. Cacchillo

Keywords

Traumatic Brain Death, Organ Donation

Subject Categories

Medical Pathology | Neurosciences | Nursing

Abstract

Patient MR was a seventeen year old female involved in a motor vehicle collision which resulted in a traumatic brain injury leading to declaration of brain death. The pathophysiology behind the traumatic brain injury, the concept and use of a brain tissue monitoring device, and the tests used in the declaration of brain death will be explored. When brain death is determined, the patient has the opportunity to become an organ donor. Thousands of people are waiting for organs to become available. This is a huge healthcare concern that may be decreased if the general public is more educated regarding the process of brain death determination. By having a better understanding of brain death, the hope is that there will be more people willing to make the decision to become an organ donor. In order to address the enormous need for organ donors, there has to be an understanding of brain death testing at the cellular level.

Recommended Citation

Knipfer, Bethani, "Brain Death Determination" (2014). Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN). 7.
https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/stu_msn/7