Nursing Ethics
The most important value when concluding that life support should be removed is beneficence. The dictionary defines this word with two very important meanings. They are; 1). The doing of good, active goodness or kindness and 2). A beneficent act or gift. When we are allowing the path of nature to follow its natural course we are primarily doing so out of kindness. Loved ones are giving the gift of death as a beneficent act. Certainly taking into effect the value of life plays into the decision, but quality of life should also be regarded, and sometimes it is much better to bestow a beneficent gift upon those who are suffering, to ease that suffering as much as possible. If that means allowing that individual to pass on to a more meaningful life, then that is the most beneficent act we can do.
Taking into consideration the bioethics aspect of such considerations is also important, but only with the patient's consent should such considerations override the primary objective of easing the patient's pain and suffering. Bioethic advances can save a persons life, if that person so desires, but again the main consideration should be the quality of the life that will be lived after it has been saved. The question could be asked; will the patient have to continue on a drug regime just to be comfortable? Will the patient be active due to the bioethic advance(s) or will the patient still be bedridden and disabled. Would the advance(s) keep the patient alive just to keep her/him alive, or would the patient be capable of a productive and enjoyable way of living?
These questions lead right into the code of ethics and the very first one deals with the respect for human dignity.
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