Final answer:
The Apnea test with a pCO₂ less than 40 is a reliable indicator of brain death.
Step-by-step explanation:
The confirmatory test that is a reliable indicator of brain death is the Apnea test with a pCO₂ less than 40. The Apnea test measures the carbon dioxide levels in the blood during a period of controlled breathing cessation. A pCO₂ less than 40 mmHg after the test is a strong indication of brain death.