Question

David, who has suffered from ALS for 20 years, is now hospitalized in a private religious hospital on a respirator. He spoke with his physician before he became incapacitated and asked that he be allowed to die if the suffering became too much for him. The physician agreed that, while he would not give David any drugs to assist a suicide, he would discontinue David's respirator if asked to do so. David has now indicated through a prearranged code of blinking eye movements that he wants the respirator discontinued. David had signed his living will before he became ill, indicating that he did not want extraordinary means keeping him alive. The nursing staff has alerted the hospital administrator about the impending discontinuation of the respirator. The administrator tells the physician that this is against the hospital's policy. She states that once a patient is placed on a respirator, the family must seek a court order to have him or her removed from this type of life support. In addition, it is against hospital policy to have any staff members present during such a procedure. After consulting with the family, the physician orders an ambulance to transport the patient back to his home, where the physician discontinues the life support.

VI. Assess the consequences. Identify short-term, long-term, positive, and negative consequences for the major alternatives. The short-term gain or loss is often overridden when long-term consequences are considered. This step often reveals an unanticipated result of major importance.

Answer 1

Euthanasia is a practice of ending life of an individual in order to relieve pain and suffering

Types of euthanasia

1. Voluntary and non voluntary euthanasia

            Voluntary may again divided into passive and active euthanasia. is an individual is allowed to die with an injection is called Active euthanasia whereas an individual is allowed to die by removing medical devices such as respirator . Non voluntary euthanasia is killing a patient without getting consent from patient

2. Passive and active euthanasia is a form a of voluntary euthanasia

There are short term and long term effects of consequences of euthanasia

1. Social

ü If the euthanasia becomes regular in the society, there is a chance of developing violence and negligence

ü If the people has disease , they may end their life by choosing euthanasia

ü people tend to use the euthanasia   to end their life even they are not suffering from pain

ü weakened people such as seniors, people with disabilities and mental disorders are compelled to end their life by choosing euthanasia

2. economically

ü people who are serious condition and has no progress in their condition and may opt for die it cost money of government

ü it increase need of hospital and require of medical equipment for emergency and regular use to save their life

ü people may already suffer from financial pressure and it increases burden to them when they approach medical treatment for saving life

3. politically

ü euthanasia become legal in state of USA oregan, California, Washington, Montana, Vermont and assistance suicide accepted in Switzerland

ü Other part of world, it Is illegal to end their life by opting the euthanasia

ü Even the family question the healthcare provider after their loved one lost the life because of euthanasia

Positive consequences of euthanasia:

· It is a better option for people who have mentally incapacitated there lower intelligent quotient in a serious condition

· It is a better option for people who have mentally depressed or psychologically not well known in a serious condition

· It can better for people who cannot view their opinion and validate their view in order to relieve their suffering

· It decreases cost of government by the keeping the elderly senior in a serious condition

· It is better option for people in a serious condition with financially incompatible.

· It relieves pain and suffering of the physically damaged people.

Negative consequences of euthanasia:

· People may be compelled to end their life by their family in order to acquire family property

· People may be forced to end their life

· Family question the healthcare provider after death of loved one even the euthanasia was signed by the patient

· It become routine in the society and cause violence and negligence in medical and society

· It decreases love and affection among in the society.

Short terms consequences are can be treated easily in order avoid Long term consequences: in case of gain

o Patient pain can be treated with pain medication

o Patient can be provided with regular food and fluid as per their tolerable

o Patient can be provided with adequate sleep

o Patient can be observed for any early sign of death

o Patient can be treated with pain and suffering with necessary medication. If patient has pain, pain medication can be given. If vomiting is present antiemetic can be given

patient can be treated symptomatically in a serious condition in order to avoid to future social cosequences such as violence, negilegnce

patient hygienic needs should be treated and family loved one can be protected from pain and suffreing in order to avoid future question from family reagrding euthanasia

longterm consesquences in case of loss

1. it can decreases financial burden to the family in the future

2. it can decrease medical assiastance requirement such as medical equipment, staff

3. it is illiegal in many part of countries

4. it creates violent and negligence in the socity in case of loss