Voluntary/Assisted Euthanasia
Grand Canyon University
Ethical Decision Making in Health Care

Voluntary/Assisted Euthanasia
(Thesis, Description of the topic and related ethical implications, Obligations to your profession and work as a nurse) Debra Burden

The purpose of this paper is to define the issue and legalities of assisted death and the key ethical arguments, including the social values and norms, encompassing this topic. Also included in this paper on voluntary/assisted suicide is the connection with nursing practice and the theories and/or principles that guide the foundation and fundamentals of the profession in this particular area. Assisted death is a term that encompasses both assisted suicide and also active
The federal government has issued statements that typically prohibit the use of narcotics and other dangerous drugs unless prescribed by a physician for a “legitimate medical purpose”. Each state individually has laws that are specific to euthanasia. Currently physician assisted suicide is illegal in all states except for Oregon and Washington where physician are allowed to assist with patient suicide under certain circumstances. In the case of Terry Schivo the Florida Supreme Court ruled that Michael Schivo (husband) was acting in a reasonable fashion when he asked for his wife, Terry Schivo, PEG tube be removed. Michael knew that by removing the peg tube would lead to immanent death within 7-14 days. Michael argued with the courts that “this is not the way she would want to live” in reference to Terry being in a physician confirmed vegetative state with no hopes for returning to a normative lifestyle (University of Miami, n.d.). Terry had two court appointed ad litems that both agreed that Michael Schivo was acting appropriately giving the situation. The key stakeholders in the Terry Schivo case are Terry Schivo herself, who fell into a vegetative state after a cardiac arrest event in February of 1990. Michael Schivo, who was Terry’s husband of 4 years prior to cardiac arrest event. Robert and Mary Schindler, Terry’s parents, are also key stakeholders in this case. (Explanation of how an ethical theory and /or ethical principle