How long can a person last in Coma?

[Newbiestudent18]

So i was watching this korean drama on TV, and the girl was in coma for 5 years!!!

is that even possible?

i'm not really familiar with all people who are in coma, lol i have no idea if they can last that long...

i mean, if it's a girl, and she's brain dead, obviously she's not moving anymore ryt?

So i have a few questions:

will she still get menstruation? and how can the staff take care of someone like that?

also, wouldn't she get pressure ulcers from laying there that long?

and wouldn't she get pneumonia for not moving?

also her muscle would deteriorate since she's not using it ryt? so that means that person will be really skinny...

and how do they feed her? through TPN? or NGT?

this may seem like a stupid question to all of u who probably have alot more knowledge about this... so forgive me...i'm just really curious, i've never seen a patient in comatose so...

how can a Nurse properly take care of a person like that? and what are the possible complications that can occur? and is that possible for someone to live that long and still look good? coz in that drama the girl stilll looks very well-kept and doesn't look skinny, there's also no NGT, just ventilator...

thanks!!

[noyesno, MSN, APRN, NP]

Disclaimer: I am no coma expert.

I found this "Top 10 Comas" list on Time:

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1864940,00.html

Some of the people on the list survived in comas for a very long time.

Check it out.

[Jonathank]

Disclaimer: I am no coma expert.

I found this "Top 10 Comas" list on Time:

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,1864940,00.html

Some of the people on the list survived in comas for a very long time.

Check it out.

You saved me some typing. I was about to google Karen Ann Quinlan for the OP...

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

Unless I was taught wrong, being in a coma and being brain dead are not the same thing. Their are varying degrees of comas. As far as menses the patient would be changed often. They would be turned and have skin precautions in place to help prevent breakdown. They would most likely be given tpn and people have come out of comas before. Some people are placed into a drug induced coma to help them to rest and the body heal.