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Terminal
Condition
An incurable and irreversible condition that, without
the administration of life-sustaining treatment, will,
in the opinion of the attending physician, result in
death within a relatively short time.
As per Nevada Revised Statutes 449.590
Right to Die
Cases and statutes which recognize in some instances
the right of a dying person to decline extraordinary
treatment and the right of such a person's guardian
to ask the court to substitute its judgment for that
of the dying person who no longer has the mental capacity
to make such judgment.
As per Black's Law Dictionary
Suffer
or Suffering
To submit to or be forced to endure, allow, tolerate;
to endure death, pain or distress handicap. The state
or experience of one that suffers.
As per Webster's Dictionary
Palliative
Care or Comfort Care
Care directed toward the quality of life of patients
who are dying, including the relief of pain and other
symptoms, attention to the psychological and spiritual
needs of the patient, and providing support for the
dying patient and the patient's family.
As per American Medical Association
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Euthanasia
The direct administration of a lethal agent with the
intent to hasten death.
As per American Medical Association
Physician
Assisted Suicide
The provision of the means or information to kill oneself
where the intent in providing the information is to
aid the patient in committing a suicidal act.
As per American Medical Association
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Advance
Directive
A patient-generated document specifying your desire
regarding your future medical treatment under certain
specified conditions. There are two types of Advance
Directives. The first is the Living Will and
the second is Durable Power of Attorney for Health
Care.
Living
Will
Allows yout to express your healthcare choices ahead
of time regarding whether you want life-sustaining treatment
to begin or to continue if you are unable to communicate
your wishes. This document goes into effect only
when you are no longer able to communicate with healthcare
providers and are determined by the doctor to have an
incurable, irreversible condition.
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Durable
Power of Attorney for Healthcare
A document that allows you to appoint a person or persons
to make healthcare decisions for him if he is unable
to do so for any reason.
The Nevada Revised Statute
449.626(2) is the state law that prioritizes
the order of authority for those who will make health
care decisions for you in the event a written directive
does not exist as follows:
- The spouse of the patient;
- An adult child of the patient or, if
there is more than one child, a majority of the adult
children who are reasonably available for consultation;
- The parents of the patient;
- An adult sibling of the patient or,
if there is more than one adult sibling, a majority
of the adult siblings who are reasonably available
for consultation; or
- The nearest other adult relative of
the patient by blood or adoption who is reasonably
available for consultation.
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