title: How do we withhold or withdraw life-sustaining therapy?
abstract: Nurse managers face many issues that concern withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining therapy in acute care. The author offers a framework for clinical decision making, an overview of the legal and ethical principles involved, and strategies to enrich communication between patients, families, and the health care team.
authors.affiliation: UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, Calif., USA.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Rieth
mesh_terms: D016223:Advance Directives / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D003142:Communication; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D008020:Life Support Care / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D018447:Medical Futility / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009745:Nursing, Supervisory / Q000941:ethics / Q000458:organization & administration; D010344:Patient Advocacy / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D028662:Principle-Based Ethics; D014481:United States; D028761:Withholding Treatment / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence