Health Sciences 2711A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 19: Medical Aid In Dying In The United States, Permadeath, Clinical Death
15 Apr 2016
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Most people in the developed world die in hospitals or nursing homes, where doctors and nurses, not loved ones, typically attend their last moments. For about 20% of people, it is gentle, especially when narcotic drugs ease pain. Of the of deaths in industrialized nations that are sudden, 80-90% are due to heart attacks. Death is long and drawn out for of people. In the days or hours before death, activity declines; the person moves and communicates less and shows little interest in food, water and surroundings. A the same time, body temperature, blood pressure, and circulation to the limbs fail. Several decades ago, loss of heartbeat and respiration signified death. These criteria are no longer adequate because resuscitation techniques frequently permit vital signs to be restored. Brain death: irreversible cessation of all activity in the brain stem. Persistent vegetative state: the cerebral cortex no longer registered electrical activity but the brain stem remained active.
