brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Brain Death
Prognosis for Brain Death
No one who meets the criteria for brain death recovers. Thus, once brain death is confirmed, the person can be considered dead. After brain death is confirmed, all life support is stopped. Family members may wish to be with the person at this time. They need to be told that one or more limbs may move when breathing assistance is ended or that the person may even sit up (sometimes called the Lazarus sign). These movements result from spinal reflex muscle contractions and do not mean the person is not really brain dead. 