Introduction to ethics in end of life care

Question 1

Define euthanasia

Answer 1

The act of deliberately ending a person’s life to relieve suffering

Question 2

Different between active and passive euthanasia

Answer 2

active - deliberate act
passive - withholding/withdrawing treatment

Question 3

Define physician assisted suicide

Answer 3

Perscribing life ending drugs for terminally ill, mentally competent adults to administer themselves after meeting strict legal safeguards

Question 4

What are the laws under euthanasia + assisted suicide in UK?

Answer 4

• Euthanasia is illegal in all parts of UK
• assisted suicide is illegal in NI, England + wales
• assisted suicide is taken as a homocide in Scotland

Question 5

Describe the doctrine of double effect

Answer 5

Permits health care professionals to administer potentially fatal meditation, provided that their intentions are purely to control symptoms

Question 6

What are the 4 elements of euthanasia

Answer 6

Agent
Intention
Subject
Object

Question 7

What are ReSPECT forms?

Answer 7

Form to allow for patients to create personalised recommendations for future medical emergencies

Question 8

What does DNACPR mean?

Answer 8

Do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation