Vegetative State

[donmurray]

This definition gives an idea. Video editing can give the impression of better function than may actually exist.

Definition

Persistent vegetative state (PVS) usually occurs after a severe head injury. The term is used to describe a person who has lost cognitive neurological function, meaning that the upper part of the brain that controls the more sophisticated functions such as speech, movement and thought, has died. People in PVS are able to breathe unaided as the lower part of the brain (the brain stem) is still functioning.

Although people in a persistent vegetative state may make sudden, jerky movements or even open their eyes, evidence suggests that they do not have any awareness of their surroundings and are unable to make any voluntary movements. PVS is different from a coma or catatonic state: people in PVS have had a permanent loss of cognitive neurological function that cannot be reversed. This means that they will never regain full consciousness.

There is no treatment for PVS, although medical professionals may be able to make patients in this condition more comfortable by turning them to prevent pressure sores. People in PVS are not able to swallow voluntarily and have to be given food and drink either through an intravenous catheter (a thin plastic tube that is placed in a vein under the skin), or through a nasogastric tube (a tube that is put down through the nose and runs into the stomach).

[Mimi2RN, ASN, RN]

A subject would be helpful. This thread is hard to find.

I agree, editing came make a difference. I think the parents are expecting way too much of their daughter, and I can't imagine why anyone would want to keep their child just in existance with no quality of life.