should patients be able to choose to end their life if they are in pain and dying

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2009

In one word Yes-I am not going to elaborate but I do imagine this will be a lively thread I will duck now and see what happens

suzy253, RN · Mar 24, 2009

Yes as well

Flare, ASN, BSN · Mar 24, 2009

This thread is sure to stir a bit of debate. I for one think that people with terminal illnesses should be given the opportunity to be euthanized. This would need to be something that is made as a very conscious decision - mentally competent could make that call after much counseling. This wouldn't be right for everyone - but as anyone who has spent time with hospice patients can tell you, some of those people would prebably make that decision if it were offered to them.

WalkieTalkie, RN · Mar 24, 2009

Yes, I think so if given the appropriate examinations and psychological screenings.

We euthanize animals when they are in pain and are suffering, but we can't do the same for our loved ones if we so desire. I love my cat enough that I would euthanize him if he were suffering from a terminal disease. However, if my mother had a terminal disease and would like to be euthanized, it would be illegal. Why is that?

Straydandelion · Mar 24, 2009

This is about the same as the abortion/right to life issue..... I honestly don't think a group of people will ever fully agree on either issue. People tend to look at both issues with different moral/ethical/religious beliefs.

WalkieTalkie, RN · Mar 24, 2009

This is about the same as the abortion/right to life issue..... I honestly don't think a group of people will ever fully agree on either issue. People tend to look at both issues with different moral/ethical/religious beliefs.

IMHO, I think this is a bit different from the abortion issue... mainly because this involves people who can make decisions for themselves about their own lives.

leslie :-D · Mar 24, 2009

IMHO, I think this is a bit different from the abortion issue... mainly because this involves people who can make decisions for themselves about their own lives.

but both do involve moral/ethical/religious beliefs.

there is no right or wrong answer...

leslie

StNeotser, ASN, RN · Mar 24, 2009

Yes.

However, I think that the hospice route of making the patient NPO and then giving Roxanol/Ativan/Actiq and any other drugs they may require to go as painlessly as possible is better than giving lethal injections.

Who here would honestly want to give a lethal injection to someone dying anyway? I wouldn't want that on my conscience.

Straydandelion · Mar 24, 2009

IMHO, I think this is a bit different from the abortion issue... mainly because this involves people who can make decisions for themselves about their own lives.

Not exactly my opinion but just to throw out negative ones:

Suppose the patient was in pain and wanted to die... yet there is a possibility that pain can be relieved with new/different medication.. this would allow even a few more days with family and to get affairs in order helping family and patient/or suppose the patient felt they were a "burden" to family including their illness "eating" up their children's inheritance?

Also suppose there was a new/untested treatment option that possibly came out the day after the patient's wishes were granted....you can argue the patient had their wishes however, but also look at the family and friends of that patient.

There are also people who for religious reasons would say this is in effect taking a life.. that it is not up to us or the patient but up to a higher power when they are ready to leave.

Yes.. some would also say.. animals are euthanized to avoid pain.. why not people yet people are far from animals and if you look at the trend which now even gives cancer drugs to treat animals rather then euthanizing them, there seems to be even a difference of opinion there.

I figure there will also be other reasons listed probably in this thread :)

CdaleJekyll · Mar 24, 2009

A huge YES from me.

On a related note. Does anyone know if it is true that slowly bleeding to death is painless? I've heard that the victim just falls asleep and doesn't wake up. If that is true I think it would be the way I would want to go.

tencat · Mar 24, 2009

Yes. Hospice is a good option, but I still think that people should have the choice to end their lives when they see fit if they have a terminal illness.

Euthanasia.....another can of worms. I'd be willing to give someone access to what they need to administer to themselves (or have administered by a family member, or if it were legal by another medical practitioner), but I couldn't give the 'shot' myself.