Stopping eating and drinking.

Full Abstract

Voluntarily stopping eating and drinking, in which death occurs within one to three weeks of beginning the fast, is increasingly explored in the literature and mainstream media as an option to be discussed with "decisionally capable," suffering patients who want to hasten their dying. The author uses an example from her experience to describe stopping eating and drinking, as well as other clinical practices associated with hastening dying; explores whether this practice can or should be distinguished from suicide; and discusses the ethical and legal implications for nurses.

Author information

Author/s: Schwarz, Judith K (JK);

Affiliation: Compassion and Choices, USA. judithschwarz(-atsign-)earthlink.net

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Case Reports; Journal Article; Review

Journal: The American journal of nursing (Am J Nurs), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 109 (issue 9) : pp 52-61; quiz 62

Dates: Created 2009/08/25; Completed 2009/09/08;

PMID: 19704237, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 9/8/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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