Glossary

Honoring the refusal of treatments that a patient does not desire, that are disproportionately burdensome to the patient, or that will not benefit the patient, is ethically and legally permissible. Within this context, withholding or withdrawing life- sustaining therapies or risking the hastening of death through treatments aimed at alleviated suffering and/or controlling symptoms are ethically acceptable and do not constitute euthanasia. There is no ethical or legal distinction between withholding or withdrawing treatments, though the latter may create more emotional distress for the RN, NP and others involved.