When a patient has assisted cardiopulmonary function but has permanently lost function of the entire brain, that patient is

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient is considered dead according to both the whole-brain criterion (since the entire brain has permanently lost function) and the higher-brain criterion (since the parts of the brain responsible for consciousness and higher functions are non-functional). However, according to the cardiopulmonary criterion, which focuses on heart and lung function (even if assisted), the patient could be considered alive. Thus, all of the statements are correct in different contexts.

When a Patient Has Assisted Cardiopulmonary Function but Has Permanently