ANGEL HEART M.

DE LOS REYES
BSN 3-3
Nursing Research 1

ACTIVITY 1: LECTURE RESEARCH ETHICS

TITLE: Nursing and euthanasia: A narrative review of the nursing ethics literature
AUTHOR/S: Pesut, B., Greig, M., Thorne, S., Storch, J., Burgess, M., Tishelman, C.,
Chambaere, K., & Janke, R. (2020)
URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/0969733019845127

SUMMARY:

Despite the relatively limited amount of nursing-specific literature identified, the

variety of arguments presented was striking. Disciplinary philosophical argument, ethical
principles, concepts and theories, as well as social justice arguments were all used to
explore the ethical and moral implications of euthanasia for nursing. Likewise, the relative
balance between supportive, opposed and no opinion provided diverse viewpoints upon
which nurses can reflect. Overall, this article provides range of positions for nurses to
consider as they reflect on their role, both as individuals and as a nurse, in relation to
euthanasia. While not neglecting traditional biomedical ethics, this article challenged
nurses they look beyond biomedical ethics to other questions relevant to the discipline of
nursing.

When a number of considerations are at issue in each specific situation,

euthanasia is a highly contentious and challenging topic to resolve. However, Euthanasia
appears to be the most sensible choice for a patient who has made the decision to
terminate their lives since it genuinely gives them the opportunity to act in the way they
feel is most reasonable. The autonomy principle is the most important if the patient is
terminally sick and the willing to be put to death. This is due to the fact that the nature of
this situations makes it impossible for any outsider to know what his best for the patient
and that person who had no business imposing their beliefs on the patient. On the other
hand, these situations merely show autonomous internal incentives we're acting under
freedom and moving what is best for themselves. When one considers assisted suicide,
beneficence, or the desire to do good or avert damage, may violate with respect for the
freedom of others. Although one may want to lessen the pain, even though the person
may, in his or her autonomy, seek death, helping in death as a way of eliminating the
suffering may violate the concept of beneficence. Others contend that a patient’s interests
are most effectively served by a doctor who respects the patient's autonomy, it's aware to
the agony he is experiencing, and is prepared to take steps to end that pain. Some may
claim that beneficence compels a doctor to save life at all costs. It would seem that
providing a merciful death for a terminally ill patient who is in excruciating agony and
request to terminate his life would be the most beneficial action.