Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse (CCTN) Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

In cases of brain death, elevated intracranial pressures (ICPs) can lead to cell death due to a lack of blood flow. When ICP rises significantly, it can compress blood vessels within the brain, impeding the flow of oxygenated blood. This reduction in blood flow can result in hypoxia (insufficient oxygen) and ultimately lead to neuronal injury and cell death. The brain relies on a continuous and adequate supply of blood to function; when ICP increases, it affects the brain's ability to receive this critical supply, contributing to the cessation of brain activity and confirming the state of brain death.

This outcome starkly contrasts with options that suggest an increase in oxygen supply, enhanced cognitive function, or improved spinal cord function, none of which occur in cases of elevated ICP. Instead, the focus is on the detrimental effects of high ICP on the brain's viability.