FA Ethics question:

[IndigoJoe]

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Hey everyone,

I was wondering if anyone had insight into the following statement in FA2015 in the Ethical Situations section (pg 58).

Ethical situation: A terminally ill patient requests physician assistance in ending his/her own life
"In the overwhelming majority of states, refuse involvement in any form of physician-assisted suicide. Physicians may, however, prescribe medically appropriate analgesics that coincidentally shorten the patient's life."

What would be an example situation (that could be presented in a vignette) that could have an option like the bolded statement????? What do they exactly mean by that statement??? Are we prescribing analgesics that could produce life-threatening respiratory depression?! (I doubt it is this - but I can't think of any good examples)

Any thoughts???
Thanks

 

[pd1112]

Yes, it's referring to morphine and benzos. It's referring to palliative care. You are prescribing doses of the medication to make the person comfortable and less anxious in situations of pain and respiratory distress. For example, older patient with heart failure, diabetes, multiple MIs & ESRD falls and dislocates his hip. He's obviously in severe distress with any movement but is not a candidate for surgery. He is now bedridden and continued dialysis is not plausible, so with consent from family you begin palliative care with high doses of morphine to maintain his comfort level. This is legal & proper care even though the morphine, particularly in the presence of ESRD, will likely cause respiratory depression that will exacerbate his other medical conditions and ultimately end his life.

 

[seminoma]

Yup or drugs that increase risk of aspiration. They get pneumonia. Refuse treatment. Die faster.