Nurse-patient advocacy and the right to die.
This article examines the implications of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to uphold Oregon's Death with Dignity Act, as well as three crucial cases, on nursing practice: Terri Schiavo, Karen Quinlan, and Nancy Cruzan. In addition, an individual example is provided to demonstrate how nurses can advocate for patients at the end of life, and specific suggestions are offered.
Ball
Susan C
SC
College of Nursing, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205-7199, USA. scball@uams.edu
D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009922:Oregon; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D012297:Right to Die / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D017236:Suicide, Assisted / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014481:United States