In this ethical case study, I review the case of Miss S., an elderly patient recovering from severe physical injury and paralysis who advocates for physician-assisted suicide. In reviewing the case, the potential ethical issues and potential ways to address the issue at hand are provided, discussed through the lens of the ANA Code of Ethics. Assisted suicide is a complex issue, especially from a nursing perspective, and this case study provides one potential way to address it.
Facts
Miss S. is an elderly woman who has recently developed severe paralysis following a cervical spine stabilization surgery. Because of partial ...