Palliative Care and End of Life

These flashcards cover key concepts and terminology from the lecture on palliative care and the understanding of death.

Palliative Care

Patient-centered care focused on preventing and relieving suffering and supporting quality of life for individuals with life-threatening illness.

Advance Directive

Instructions that name a proxy decision-maker and/or outline acceptable interventions if a person's decision-making capacity is lost.

Whole Brain Death

Irreversible loss of functioning in the entire brain, including higher and lower brain regions, without possibility of resuscitation.

Persistent Vegetative State (PVS)

A condition where a person appears awake but is not aware, exhibiting permanent loss of all cortex function.

Euthanasia

The intentional administration of medication by a physician to cause the patient's death, primarily to relieve suffering.

Medical Aid in Dying (MAID)

Allows terminally ill, mentally competent adults to request and self-administer prescribed medication to end their lives.

Slippery Slope Argument

The concern that permitting one action (like voluntary euthanasia) could lead to unintended, more serious consequences (like involuntary euthanasia).

Doctrine of Double Effect

A principle stating that an action causing a serious harm, like hastening death, is permissible if the intention is to achieve a good effect, such as pain relief.

Unexpected Words

Phrasing that avoids using negative or blameful language towards patients and focuses on support and care options.

Cultural and Religious Conceptions of Death

Beliefs regarding life after death, such as eternal life, reincarnation, or cultural practices like Dia de Los Muertos.