A Nursing Student Who Is Caring for a Dying Patient

Multiple Choice

A nursing student who is caring for a dying patient asks the nurse, "How will we know when the patient has died?" The nurse explains that the patient will be considered legally dead when

A) the patient is flaccid and unresponsive.
B) respiratory efforts cease and no apical pulse is audible.
C) the patient is comatose, apneic, and without brainstem reflexes.
D) CPR is ineffective in restoring heartbeat.