Final answer:
Signs of a persistent vegetative state include lack of awareness, lack of purposeful responses to stimuli, loss of higher brain functions, inability to communicate, and abnormal sleep-wake cycles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Signs of a persistent vegetative state include:
- Lack of awareness of the environment
- Lack of purposeful or meaningful responses to stimuli
- Loss of higher brain functions, such as consciousness, cognition, and memory
- Inability to speak or communicate
- Abnormal sleep-wake cycles
A person in a persistent vegetative state may exhibit reflexive movements such as blinking or grimacing, but these are involuntary and do not indicate higher brain function. It is important to note that the diagnosis of a persistent vegetative state should be made by a qualified medical professional.