Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse (CCTN) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CCTN Practice Questions and Study Guide

In the scenario of brain death, the cessation of function in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis leads to significant changes in hormone production. Specifically, the lack of signaling from the hypothalamus and pituitary gland results in a decrease in the synthesis of various hormones that are crucial for bodily functions.

In this context, corticosteroids – primarily cortisol – and antidiuretic hormone (ADH, also known as vasopressin) are affected. The adrenal glands rely on pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) to stimulate corticosteroid production. Without the regulatory signals from the pituitary, the adrenal glands stop producing cortisol, leading to a state of adrenal insufficiency. Similarly, ADH, which is produced by the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary, also experiences reduced production, leading to potential fluid imbalance and diabetes insipidus.

This understanding underlines why the assertion regarding the cessation of corticosteroids and ADH production is correct in the context of brain death. The disruption of the HPA axis profoundly impacts the production of these hormones, contributing to the physiological changes observed in patients who experience brain death.