Chapter 17, 18

Question 1

irreversible coma or brain death

Answer 1

A medical condition in which there is no measurable brain activity coming from the cortex.

Question 2

persistent vegetative state (PVS)

Answer 2

A state in which a brain-damaged patient has coma-like symptoms, although a low-level arousal, such as reflexes, may be observed.

Question 3

minimally conscious state

Answer 3

A state in which a brain-damaged patient displays some deliberate behaviour or some level of self-awareness.

Question 4

advance directive

Answer 4

Legal instructions regarding specific health care measures to be taken in the event that an individual is rendered unconscious because of a terminal illness.

Question 5

living will

Answer 5

An example of an advance directive, which specifies what medical procedures and interventions a person wants or does not want.

Question 6

death anxiety

Answer 6

An underlying feeling of uneasiness about the possibility that death might occur.

Question 7

complicated/traumatic grief (CG)

Answer 7

A pathological form of grieving that tends to last longer than normal grieving and is accompanied by impaired social interaction.

Question 8

bereavement

Answer 8

The personal process of grieving and transformation in response to the death of a loved one.

Question 9

mourning

Answer 9

The specific behaviours taken up during bereavement, including those that involve cultural or religious conventions.