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Image J Nurs Sch. 1990;22(4):226-30. doi: 10.1111/j.1547-5069.1990.tb00218.x.

The dilemma of withholding or withdrawing nutrition.

Image--the journal of nursing scholarship

M E Wurzbach

PMID: 1705534 DOI: 10.1111/j.1547-5069.1990.tb00218.x

Abstract

Recently, societal concerns have developed about the artificial prolongation of dying. Life extension is not always viewed as humanitarian. Artificial nutrition and hydration are seen frequently as necessary comfort measures and not merely life extenders. Now debate is rising about whether or not even these basic life support measures are not merely prolonging dying. In this paper, the issue of withholding or withdrawing nutrition and hydration from certain patients is discussed, including the competing ethical arguments, the nursing perspective and the implications of this dilemma for nursing, health care and society.

Keywords: American Medical Association; American Nurses Association; Death and Euthanasia

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