Presentation of Euthanasia

8/8/2019 Presentation of Euthanasia

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BY

VIMITHA VARGHESE

MSc in Advance Nursing Studies


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DO INDIVIDUAL HAVE THE RIGHT

TO CHOOSE THE TIME AND

MANNER OF THIER DEATH?

EUTHENESIA


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DEFINITIONEuthanasia is a the practice of mercifully endinga persons life to release the person from an

incurable disease, intolerable suffering, orundignified death (Cristina Olvera 2005).

Word euthanasia is originated from Greek wordeu means good and thanatos means death

Euthos(easy) + Thanos (dying)


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Types of EuthanasiaPhysician Assisted Suicide

When the physician tells the patient how to terminate their life.

Active Euthanasia

Where the patient would die sooner as a result of the effect of thetreatment.

Passive Euthanasia

Where critical treatment is not provided or is withdrawn to ensure thepatients death.

Non Voluntary Euthanasia

Where the decision is taken to terminate by some one else as the patient isnot able to communicate


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Physician Assisted Suicidey Physician Assisted suicide occurs if the physician tells the patient

how to end his/her life.

y The physician can assist in the following ways1. Prescribing drugs (Lethal or Non Lethal) , which if taken insmall or large quantities would lead to death.2. Providing apparatus by using which patients can end their life.

y An example of this would be that of Dr Jack Kevrokian who has

assisted in the deaths of hundreds of patients Euthanasia MercyKilling Kanquona Bhattacharjee

y Dr Kevrokian would expect his patients to activate the machine towhich they would be attached to which in turn would either deliver alethal dose of injection or poisonous gas.


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Active Euthanasiay Active Euthanasia occurs when life support is not provided to the patient

and as result this results in the death of the patient

y An Example of Active Euthanasia : A patient suffering from AmyotrophicLateral Sclerosis (ALS ) and was in the final stage and decided to end hislife , Dr Jack Kevorkian himself administered drugs which would kill thepatient.

y This was a departure from the method adopted by Jack Kevorkian as in thiscase the patient did not have the ability to active the machine that would

take his life.

y For this Dr Kevorkian was charged with second degree murder by a court inthe United States.


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Passive Euthanasiay Passive Euthanasia occurs when nothing is done to prolong the patients life

or things which are critical to the survival of the patient is withdrawn.

y This can occur in the following ways

Medication not provided or with drawn which may prolong the life of thepatient.

Food not provided as a result of this patient dies.

When the heart of the patient has stopped CPR not being provided.

Life support system switched off as a result of this the patient dies.


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In-Voluntary Euthanasiay Involuntary euthanasia occurs when the decision to

end life is taken by some one else as the patient may

not be in a position to make this decision.

yAn Example of this would be in case of a person whois in a vegetative state and the decision is taken by

some one else on his/her behalf.


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Legal Status of Euthanasia in

Different Countries


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Its a Debate Between Pro-life and

Pro-choice GroupsPros

y Ends Suffering

y

Case of individuals libertyy Provides relief when the

persons quality of life islow

y Brings happiness to the

person as it helps him toreduce the burden to hisloved ones

y Frees up medical fund tohelp other people

Cons

y Rejection of importanceand values of human life.

y Voluntary can lead toinvoluntary

y Life should end naturally

y Pain management should

be followedy Gives physical control

over other persons life

y Religious perspective

Documents

Presentation of Euthanasia