title: Withholding resuscitation.
abstract: Medical technology allows physicians to maintain individual organ function when the organism can no longer function on its own. Some ethicists argue that resuscitation can and should be withheld in certain situations. While there is no federal legislation on withholding resuscitation, court decisions at the state level have upheld the patient's right to "die with dignity" without medical interference. How can physicians best provide care and comfort for dying patients?
mesh_terms: D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005065:Euthanasia; D005066:Euthanasia, Passive; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012151:Resuscitation; D014481:United States