Euthanasia is a very touchy subject, especially within the medical field. As a healthcare advocate, it is our job as professionals to better the lives of our patients. What happens when there is nothing more you can do?
I understand, being a Home Health Aide that works a lot with Hospice, that comfort care is important. But truly, when a suffering patient looks to you to ease the pain what do you do? Should you apologize and say their is nothing more I can do?
I can hardly say no more treats to my cat when he gives puppy dog eyes, much less a patient dying alone of cancer. In my opinion, for what it is worth, Euthanasia is most certainly not murder and should never be referred to as such.
If Euthanasia was legal, but very strict in regulations and rules, it would be very beneficial to many terminally ill patients. This may be the only healthcare decision a patient makes within their life, and they should be allowed to make such a decision when conditions permit. We all have choices in this world, what gives you or I the right to take such choices away from someone in such a situation.
What is your opinion? Do you agree or disagree? Do you have a story, personal or not that pertains to this topic?
I don't like the idea of euthanasia. However, we, as a society tend to prolong dying unnaturally. If someone wants to refuse life-saving treatments, that is their right. In some cases, refusing treatments such as lasix for heart failure or CPAP for end-stage COPD could lead to a HORRIBLE death, gasping for breath which is something that I would NEVER want to personally experience. I have limited (non-work), family experience on dealing with breast cancer deaths. I do not think my aunt's, grandmother, or great would have chosen to die early though even though they went through great pain and confusion in their last 1-2 weeks. Euthanasia is not legal, and shouldn't be IMO. From what I've heard from hospice nurses (something I could never do) treating pain is. I've had some mention that they've had patient's who were dying and in pain stop breathing on 2 mg of morphine, and to them... the nurse, and the family, that is ok. I remember from the cancer deaths in my family that we were saddened, but at the same time happy that their suffering was over. Choosing to forgo some of your last lucid moments with family in order to die with dignity seems like a selfish choice. However, I wouldn't really know unless I was in their position, so I can't judge them. As a nurse, I know that I could not administer something ethically that I believed would end another life, regardless of their wishes to die.
I voted as euthanasia being merciful only because the third option of assisted suicide wasn't offered. There are states where that is legal, and I agree with that stance. If a patient with a terminal illness chooses to end their life before their suffering becomes unbearable, who am I to say that is wrong?
But to allow euthanasia, when the lethal dose of med is intentionally administered by a health care professional with the goal being death, well that I'm not so sure about. I guess it really depends on the circumstances of each case and whether the wishes of the patient are clearly being followed. I would maybe feel comfortable with that decision if the patients wants were very clearly spelled out and they were no longer physically capable of self administering and the patient still had the ability to say no if they changed their mind last minute. A lot of if's there.
I believe in euthanasia in terminal patients who are competent in their medical decision-making. I would have no qualms with assisting, either. In my very sort tenure as a nurse, I've seen a lot of suffering in terminally ill patients. Even when you help their physical pain as much as possible, psychological pain can be brutal as well.
Seeing a family overcome with relief that their loved one is no longer suffering is always such a challenge. They feel deep guilt with that relief. They won't admit to feeling that relief because they think it's so wrong to feel. But let's face it..... A person who has watched their loved one die a slow and painful death WILL feel relief at that burden being lifted.
Allowing euthanasia, and learning how to talk about it so that families can feel comforted by it being allowed, can let these people feel okay talking about that. We spend so long trying to promote life that we don't know how to talk about death, or allow it to happen. We don't feel comfortable with talking about wanting to die a death with dignity, a death we could choose, a death that happens the way we want. Most people don't want to lose control of their bodies slowly and painfully. They don't want to end up in hospitals, having strangers wipe their butts while they require machines and drips just to maintain a heartbeat. They don't want to deteriorate in front of their family members and leave thousands of dollars in debt behind. I know I don't envision that future for my children.
I do wonder.... If there were a poll that differentiated outpatient vs. acute vs. critical care vs. long term care nurses on this topic, if answers would differ according to specialty.
Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.
I don't like the idea of euthanasia. However, we, as a society tend to prolong dying unnaturally. If someone wants to refuse life-saving treatments, that is their right. In some cases, refusing treatments such as lasix for heart failure or CPAP for end-stage COPD could lead to a HORRIBLE death, gasping for breath which is something that I would NEVER want to personally experience. I have limited (non-work), family experience on dealing with breast cancer deaths. I do not think my aunt's, grandmother, or great would have chosen to die early though even though they went through great pain and confusion in their last 1-2 weeks. Euthanasia is not legal, and shouldn't be IMO. From what I've heard from hospice nurses (something I could never do) treating pain is. I've had some mention that they've had patient's who were dying and in pain stop breathing on 2 mg of morphine, and to them... the nurse, and the family, that is ok. I remember from the cancer deaths in my family that we were saddened, but at the same time happy that their suffering was over. Choosing to forgo some of your last lucid moments with family in order to die with dignity seems like a selfish choice. However, I wouldn't really know unless I was in their position, so I can't judge them. As a nurse, I know that I could not administer something ethically that I believed would end another life, regardless of their wishes to die.
I would hope and pray with all my heart, soul, and mind to NOT have a nurse with this outlook, were I to be at the end of my life. Give me hospice PLEASE!
Back before Hospice existed, I worked at what was known as a "Chronic Disease Hospital". Had a pt w/ rampant metastasis. She was 'allowed' to have a small dose of morphine via injection Q6 hrs, but only if her resp rate was above 12. So, her resp rate was between 10 and 11 ( I counted SEVERAL times.) It was 1/2 hr until her next shot was due, and back then they were sticklers about not giving anything a minute earlier than ordered. There was no 1/2 hr on either side of the dose time for pain meds.
She was moaning and moaning, I asked her about her pain (no pain-level parameters 1-10 back then either) and she moaned louder. I went and got her puny dose of morphine and gave it to her. She died within 45 minutes. I only hoped that the morphine eased her passing just a little bit; it sure wasn't the cause of her death.
I also witnessed at that hospital a patient who had to have her hip and leg removed due to bone cancer. Well, it had spread to her spine as well. She would scream "SOMEBODY KILL ME PLEASE!KILLLLLMEEEE!" all hours of the day and night. Her morphine shot was also a strict Q6 hrs. The nurses would close the door of her room, so she wouldn't "disturb" the other patients.
But, by gawd, she was as lucid as could be, so I guess that's okay.
I would hope and pray with all my heart, soul, and mind to NOT have a nurse with this outlook, were I to be at the end of my life. Give me hospice PLEASE!
Back before Hospice existed, I worked at what was known as a "Chronic Disease Hospital". Had a pt w/ rampant metastasis. She was 'allowed' to have a small dose of morphine via injection Q6 hrs, but only if her resp rate was above 12. So, her resp rate was between 10 and 11 ( I counted SEVERAL times.) It was 1/2 hr until her next shot was due, and back then they were sticklers about not giving anything a minute earlier than ordered. There was no 1/2 hr on either side of the dose time for pain meds.
She was moaning and moaning, I asked her about her pain (no pain-level parameters 1-10 back then either) and she moaned louder. I went and got her puny dose of morphine and gave it to her. She died within 45 minutes. I only hoped that the morphine eased her passing just a little bit; it sure wasn't the cause of her death.
I also witnessed at that hospital a patient who had to have her hip and leg removed due to bone cancer. Well, it had spread to her spine as well. She would scream "SOMEBODY KILL ME PLEASE!KILLLLLMEEEE!" all hours of the day and night. Her morphine shot was also a strict Q6 hrs. The nurses would close the door of her room, so she wouldn't "disturb" the other patients.
But, by gawd, she was as lucid as could be, so I guess that's okay.
This is so, so sad. Makes me appreciate PCA pumps on a whole different level.
Specializes in Peds, School Nurse, clinical instructor.
We allow our animals the right to a pain free death yet our human family members sometimes suffer unimaginable discomfort while dying. It doesn't say much for us as a society. I am all for assisting with a pain free dignified death.
Choosing to forgo some of your last lucid moments with family in order to die with dignity seems like a selfish choice.
Could you explain this?
Also, I think you misunderstand when you speak of refusing life-saving treatment and dying a horrible death. Refusing one does not mean you have to accept the other.
I don't like the idea of euthanasia. However, we, as a society tend to prolong dying unnaturally. If someone wants to refuse life-saving treatments, that is their right. In some cases, refusing treatments such as lasix for heart failure or CPAP for end-stage COPD could lead to a HORRIBLE death, gasping for breath which is something that I would NEVER want to personally experience. I have limited (non-work), family experience on dealing with breast cancer deaths. I do not think my aunt's, grandmother, or great would have chosen to die early though even though they went through great pain and confusion in their last 1-2 weeks. Euthanasia is not legal, and shouldn't be IMO. From what I've heard from hospice nurses (something I could never do) treating pain is. I've had some mention that they've had patient's who were dying and in pain stop breathing on 2 mg of morphine, and to them... the nurse, and the family, that is ok. I remember from the cancer deaths in my family that we were saddened, but at the same time happy that their suffering was over. Choosing to forgo some of your last lucid moments with family in order to die with dignity seems like a selfish choice. However, I wouldn't really know unless I was in their position, so I can't judge them. As a nurse, I know that I could not administer something ethically that I believed would end another life, regardless of their wishes to die.
I have to come back to this, and I see that you have about 9 months experience. Not sure if you have had a dying patient yet. Lucidity without palliative or hospice care is a relative thing. Altered mental status with overwhelming sepsis that, despite all efforts, can't be treated, is common. NOT addressing the agitation won't make one more lucid. Lucidity with unmanaged pain means that the patient is only focused on pain and probably can't meaningfully interact with loved ones. I had one family member recently who was lucid until the final moment that his lungs filled with fluid, but that is not the case with all dying patients.
With more experience, I'm sure you will see that there are a million ways to die, and your perspective will evolve.
I have a friend whose chronic disease took his livelihood. That disease will eventually kill him, and given his personality and the way he wants to live his life, the deterioration of his body makes him very angry and sad. He told me that he has a plan for his own death when the time is right, and that one of his family members has agreed to be with him when he leaves this world.
The only thing I told him was that he has the obligation to protect his family member who will be risking a lot through his compassion and willingness to hold his hand in his final moments, especially if other family members don't agree with his plan.
ClaraRedheart, BSN, RN
363 Posts
I don't like the idea of euthanasia. However, we, as a society tend to prolong dying unnaturally. If someone wants to refuse life-saving treatments, that is their right. In some cases, refusing treatments such as lasix for heart failure or CPAP for end-stage COPD could lead to a HORRIBLE death, gasping for breath which is something that I would NEVER want to personally experience. I have limited (non-work), family experience on dealing with breast cancer deaths. I do not think my aunt's, grandmother, or great would have chosen to die early though even though they went through great pain and confusion in their last 1-2 weeks. Euthanasia is not legal, and shouldn't be IMO. From what I've heard from hospice nurses (something I could never do) treating pain is. I've had some mention that they've had patient's who were dying and in pain stop breathing on 2 mg of morphine, and to them... the nurse, and the family, that is ok. I remember from the cancer deaths in my family that we were saddened, but at the same time happy that their suffering was over. Choosing to forgo some of your last lucid moments with family in order to die with dignity seems like a selfish choice. However, I wouldn't really know unless I was in their position, so I can't judge them. As a nurse, I know that I could not administer something ethically that I believed would end another life, regardless of their wishes to die.