Which statement about coma is true?
A) Coma may be caused by widespread cerebral or brain stem trauma.
B) During coma, brain oxygen consumption resembles that of a waking state.
C) Coma is a form of deep sleep.
D) Coma is neurologically identical to syncope.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Coma can be caused by severe damage or dysfunction in the brainstem or widespread trauma to the cerebral hemispheres, which affects the function of the reticular activating system, a network of specialized neurons that regulates consciousness and arousal.

Answer: B is false 
 During coma, brain oxygen consumption decreases significantly compared to a waking state, indicating reduced brain function.

Answer: C is false 
 Coma is not a form of sleep, as it is characterized by a complete lack of conscious awareness and response to external stimuli, whereas during sleep, the brain remains responsive to some extent.

Answer: D is false 
 Coma and syncope are distinct phenomena with different underlying causes and neurological features. Syncope is a brief loss of consciousness typically caused by a transient lack of blood flow to the brain, while coma is a prolonged state of unconsciousness with more severe neurological impairment.

Which Statement About Coma Is True