Question 1

The influence of wealth on health is illustrated in differences in the leading causes of death in low-income versus high-income countries. The wealth of a nation is particularly valuable in that it is associated with:

Accepted Answer

Low-income countries often lack the resources necessary for the prevention and treatment of curable diseases and illnesses, which are major causes of death in these settings. With greater wealth, a nation can invest in public health measures, medical infrastructure, and healthcare delivery systems that can prevent and protect against these illnesses.

Question 2

People who sign a do not resuscitate (DNR) order ask that no measures be taken to keep them alive if their heart stops beating.

Accepted Answer

People who sign a DNR order request that no measures (such as CPR) be taken to restart their heart if it stops beating.

Question 3

The term irreversible coma was introduced as a medical diagnosis referencing ________________ death.

Accepted Answer

Irreversible coma refers to the permanent loss of function of the brain, which is indicative of brain death.

Question 4

With technological advances, the line between life and death becomes more complicated.

Accepted Answer

With advancements in medical technology, there are now more ways to prolong life or bring someone back from the brink of death. This can lead to ethical dilemmas and debates about what constitutes as being truly alive or dead. For example, some argue that a person in a vegetative state is technically alive but not conscious, while others may argue that the individual has already died and is being kept alive artificially. These complex issues demonstrate how technology can blur the traditional boundaries of life and death.

Question 5

One factor that can be used to determine death is an irreversible cessation of:

Accepted Answer

The two factors listed, cessation of circulatory and respiratory function and irreversible cessation of all brain function (including the brain stem), are both widely accepted as criteria for determining death. Some jurisdictions may rely on one more than the other, but both are commonly used. Therefore, the best answer is C, as either factor can be used to determine death.

Question 6

The United States, a high-income country, is relatively good at preventing death due to respiratory distress and communicable diseases. However, prevention of deaths in the United States requires a different health care and prevention lens, one that focuses on:

Accepted Answer

Healthy lifestyle choices such as stress reduction, regular exercise, and healthy eating have been shown to prevent and manage chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer, which are major causes of death in the United States. Taking appropriate medications, genetic screenings, and early interventions are important but do not have the same broad impact on preventing death as healthy lifestyle choices.

Question 7

Diagnosis of "irreversible coma" requires ruling out a:

Accepted Answer

In order to diagnose irreversible coma, the possibility of the patient being in either a persistent vegetative state or a minimally conscious state must be ruled out. Therefore, both options A and B are correct.

Question 8

Noncommunicable causes of death, such as ___________________, can't directly be passed from person to person.

Accepted Answer

Noncommunicable causes of death, such as heart disease, cancer, and respiratory diseases, cannot be directly passed from person to person.

Question 9

In the United States, the leading causes of death are the same in child and adult age groups.

Accepted Answer

The leading causes of death in children typically involve accidents, injuries, and genetic disorders, while the leading causes of death in adults are chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and respiratory illnesses.

Question 10

When an individual is declared "brain dead," the criteria are validated again after ____ hours to confirm.

Accepted Answer

After an individual is declared "brain dead," the criteria are validated again after 24 hours to confirm. This is to ensure that there are no changes in brain activity that could potentially reverse the diagnosis.

Question 11

Absence of brain activity is determined by the EEG (electroencephalogram).

Accepted Answer

EEG measures electrical activity in the brain and absence of activity indicates brain death.

Question 12

The leading cause of death in low-income countries is respiratory diseases.

Accepted Answer

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the leading cause of death in low-income countries is respiratory diseases, followed by diarrheal diseases and communicable diseases.

Question 13

The leading causes of death are the same in low-income and high-income countries.

Accepted Answer

In low-income countries, the leading causes of death often include infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, while in high-income countries, chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and stroke are more prevalent.

Question 14

Criteria used to declare that irreversible coma cannot be used to confirm death in exceptional cases, such as:

Accepted Answer

In exceptional cases such as hypothermia and narcotic-induced CNS dysfunction, the criteria used to declare that irreversible coma cannot be used to confirm death, as these conditions can mimic brain death even in the absence of irreversible brain damage. Therefore, additional diagnostic tests should be performed to confirm death in such cases.

Question 15

The leading causes of death in the United States are heart disease and cancer.

Accepted Answer

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease and cancer are the two leading causes of death in the United States.

Question 16

In a(n) ___________________, an individual has coma-like symptoms, but low-level wakefulness can be observed on EEG.

Accepted Answer

In a minimally conscious state, the individual may show signs of low-level wakefulness such as eye-opening, occasional emotional responses, and some level of voluntary movement, but still has significant impairment in cognitive and motor function. EEG can be used to monitor brain activity and distinguish this state from a persistent vegetative state or irreversible coma.

Question 17

Death occurs when a person's vital functions permanently stop.

Accepted Answer

Death is defined as the cessation of all vital functions, including the heartbeat, brain activity, and breathing, that do not spontaneously restart.

Question 18

Worldwide, most deaths can be attributed to:

Accepted Answer

Noncommunicable causes of death, such as heart disease, cancer, and respiratory diseases, are the leading causes of death globally. This is due to factors such as aging populations, lifestyle changes, and environmental factors. While communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS and food-borne illnesses still cause deaths, they are not as widespread as noncommunicable diseases in most parts of the world.

Question 19

In a(n) ______________________,an individual may appear to have coma-like symptoms, but also shows some signs of deliberate behavior.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In a(n) ______________________,an individual may appear to...

Question 20

Individuals who are "brain dead" can continue to grow, digest nutrients, and even carry a fetus to term.

Accepted Answer

Brain death refers to the irreversible cessation of all brain function, including the brainstem, and is considered equivalent to death. While individuals who are brain dead may have some physical processes such as growth or digestion continue with the help of medical interventions, they are unable to carry out any conscious or voluntary actions. The claim that a brain-dead individual can carry a fetus to term is controversial and has not been verified by scientific evidence.

Quiz 17: Death, Dying, and Grieving