Brain Death: Confounders, Testing and Clinical Issues

Brain Death: Confounders, Testing and Clinical Issues is Organized by American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN).

Contact Hours: 0.75
CERP A: 0.75
Expires: Nov 01, 2019
Topics: Neurology

Webinar Summary:
Clinical death as evidenced by the cessation of breathing and heartbeat is understood by patients’ families and providers. However, explaining brain death to nursing colleagues and families can be difficult and fraught with moral distress. In this webinar the presenter will share the clinical definition of brain death and the process of serial assessments and apnea testing. Variables that can confound test results are explored and explained. The causes of movement after brain death and the clinical implications for both the care providers and families will be discussed. A case study format will be used to demonstrate the concepts in the context of actual clinical care.

Objectives:
• Describe confounders that impact the initiation of brain death testing
• Identify clinical issues that can arise from movement caused by spinal reflexes, the cardiac cycle, and pulmonary issues
• Clarify nursing and interprofessional team responsibilities in the determination of brain death

Additional details will be posted as soon as information is available.