Brain death and organ donation.
Critical care nurses are essential team members during the process of determining brain death and preparing for organ donation. Using their knowledge of the criteria for brain death, they care for the dying patient, support the grieving family, and participate in the consent process for organ donation. Nurses make a critical difference in saving the lives of others through the gift of life.
Lovasik
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University of Pittsburgh Health System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
D001926:Brain Death / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D002423:Cause of Death; D003422:Critical Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D003644:Death Certificates; D004282:Documentation; D004993:Ethics, Nursing; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D024802:Nurse's Role; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014481:United States