A patient who is terminally ill is experiencing extreme pain and suffering. The patient says, "If I were an animal, you would put me out of this misery." Which intervention would the nurse be ethically correct in providing as a last-resort option for this patient?
A) Tell the patient how much pain medication would be needed to cause death.
B) Administer pain medication with the intention of causing respiratory arrest.
C) Administer sedative medications sufficient to cause unconsciousness.
D) Encourage the patient to stop eating and drinking.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Rationale 1: According to ANA standards, the nurse should not participate in assisted suicide.
Rationale 2: The nurse should not intentionally give medication to cause arrest. This is active euthanasia, which is not ethical according to the ANA.
Rationale 3: Sedation to unconsciousness is a valid alternative at the end-of-life.
Rationale 4: The nurse should not encourage this action, but should not intervene if the patient makes this decision independently.

A Patient Who Is Terminally Ill Is Experiencing Extreme Pain