Wed13October0734AM 6

Which of the following is consistent with brainstem death?

(Please select 1 option)

Periodic breathing

Cheyne-Stokes breathing

Absence of pupillary light reflexes with fixed pupils Correct

Presence of cold caloric reflex

Absent tendon reflexes in upper and lower limbs

Explanation

Brain stem death is characterised by:

Apnoea

Fixed pupils that do not respond to light

No response to cold caloric testing.

Spinal reflexes may be preserved in brainstem death.

Further Reading:

Academy of Royal Colleges. A Code of Practice for the Diagnosis and Confirmation of Death.

Answer Statistics

1

2%

2

93%

3

7%

Times answered: 262