Chapter 4, Problem 1PT

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

The consciousness makes oneself aware of the environment and able to conclude whether to respond to the factors or not. The activity of the brain to be responsive for an action is called consciousness.

Answer to Problem 1PT

Correct answer:

The key distinction between the person with persistence vegetative state and person with the minimally conscious state is that the person with minimally conscious state will more likely to regain consciousness at some point in the future. Therefore, option (b) is correct.

Option (b) is given as “The person in the minimally conscious state is more likely to regain consciousness at some point in the future”.

Explanation of Solution

Justify reasons for the correct statement:

The global workspace model, states that the consciousness and unconsciousness both are formed by the activity of the brain. The minimal consciousness can be seen in coma patients where the brain activity is less and they are aware of the surrounding even though they are not able to move. They are able to get consciousness any time from days to months or years.

Hence, option (b) is correct.

Justify reasons for the incorrect statements:

Option (a) is given as “the person in the minimally conscious state is less responsive to her or his surrounding”.

When compared with the persistent vegetative state, the person is little aware of his surroundings. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Option (c) is given as “the person in the minimally conscious state shows some degree of brain activity, whereas the person in the persistent vegetative state shows no brain activity”.

When compared with the persistent vegetative state who has no activity, the person with the minimally conscious state show signs of brain function and able to regain consciousness anytime. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Option (d) is given as “the person in the minimally conscious state is dreaming, whereas the person in the persistent vegetative state is in a coma”.

The people in the minimal brain activity shows signs of activity and they are little aware of the surrounding, to them the time passed in a coma is like they are dreaming for a long time since there is the activity of the brain. Meanwhile, the patient persistent vegetative state will have no brain activity and to them, there is no dream or anything can be felt. They are in a proper coma. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Hence, options (a),(c), and (d) are incorrect.

Conclusion

The persistent vegetative state the person only has a little change to regain consciousness with the time period of four to five weeks. If no brain activity is observed after that period, they are regarded as a persistent vegetative state. Whereas, a person with minimal consciousness have brain activity and are able to regain consciousness anytime in future.