Final answer:
The "whole brain" definition of death is a true standard in medicine and law in the U.S., used to determine death when all brain functions cease, despite the body's other vital signs being sustained by medical intervention.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the "whole brain" definition of death is the standard now used for determining death in both medicine and law in the United States is true.
This definition relies on the cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem, as a determinant of death.
Situations involving brain death, such as the cases of Terri Schiavo, a 13-year-old girl, and a pregnant EMT, highlight the complexities and emotional reactions associated with determining and declaring death when the brain has ceased to function despite the presence of other vital signs.
The heart, brain, kidneys, liver, and lungs are the five organs considered vital for survival.
The loss of function of any of these organs signals imminent death without medical intervention.
In the context of brain death, even if life support maintains other bodily functions, the individual is legally and medically recognized as deceased.
Brain death has become a focal point due to technological advancements that can sustain bodily functions even when the brain is no longer active.
This scenario creates ethical dilemmas and intersects with law, particularly in cases where patients' prior directives or family wishes conflict with medical or legal assessments.