Withdrawing Mechanical Support from the Brain-Damaged Neonate

Many nurses from the neonatal intensive care unit question present policies in maintaining vigorous support for all neonates in the intensive care unit. The decision to withdraw support from a severely braindamaged neonate is complex (see Guidelines From the President's Commission). The nurse's critical role is in providing assessments that are important to the physician in determining the extent of brain damage, recognizing when important decisions need to be made, and encouraging family involvement in these decisions.