2. *Coma describes a severe decrease in mental function due to structural,
physiological, or metabolic impairment of the brain.
*It is a prolonged state of unconsciousness.
*A person in a coma exhibits a sustained loss of the capacity for arousal even in
response to vigorous stimulation.
3. *Causes:
*Extensive damage to the cerebral cortex
*Damage to the brainstem arousal mechanisms
*Interruptions of the connections between the
brainstem and cortical areas
*Metabolic dysfunctions
*Brain infections
*An overdose of certain drugs, such as sedatives,
sleeping pills, narcotics, or ethanol.
4. Symptoms
1. Closed eyes
2. Depressed brainstem reflexes, such as pupils not
responding to light
3. No responses of limbs, except for reflex movements
4. No response to painful stimuli, except for reflex
movements
5. Irregular breathing
