vegetative state, a physical condition in which a previously comatose patient continues to be unable to communicate or respond to stimuli, despite at times giving the appearance of wakefulness. The eyes may be open, but, because of senile brain disease, cerebral arteriosclerosis, or injury to the cerebral cortex, the patient remains immobile and must be fed and toileted, and all other physical needs must be attended to. It is important to speak to the patient because it is unknown whether the patient can hear.
