Active euthanasia vs Passive euthanasia
How to tell Active euthanasia and Passive euthanasia apart when a board question makes them look alike.
Active euthanasia directly causes death; passive withholding/withdrawing allows underlying disease to proceed.
Side by side
Active euthanasia is directly administering an intervention intended to cause death and is not permitted in standard US medical ethics.
Passive euthanasia refers to withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment when consistent with patient wishes, allowing disease to take its course.
Active euthanasia is directly administering an intervention intended to cause death and is not permitted in standard US medical ethics.
Passive euthanasia refers to withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment when consistent with patient wishes, allowing disease to take its course.
The repair move
Before naming the answer, force the stem through the separator: Active euthanasia directly causes death; passive withholding/withdrawing allows underlying disease to proceed.
Try a free question
CoreA physician administers a lethal dose of a barbiturate to a terminally ill patient with the explicit intent of ending the patient's life. The patient has consented to this action. Which ethical category does this action fall into in standard US medical ethics?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Active euthanasia (not permitted in the US). Active euthanasia is the direct administration of a lethal agent with the intent to cause death. NOT permitted in standard US medical ethics or law. Distinct from physician-assisted death (where the physician provides the lethal agent but the patient self-administers, legal in some jurisdictions). Distinct from passive euthanasia (withholding/withdrawing treatment, generally permitted). Distinct from palliative sedation and the principle of double effect.
Why the other choices are tempting
- B. Passive euthanasia is withholding/withdrawing, not direct administration.
- C. Physician-assisted death involves patient self-administration of the lethal agent.
- D. Palliative sedation aims to relieve symptoms, not cause death.
- E. Compassionate withdrawal is a passive euthanasia variant.
Flashcards
Tap a card to flip it.
What clue supports Active euthanasia?
Choose Active euthanasia when the stem gives this pattern: Active euthanasia is directly administering an intervention intended to cause death and is not permitted in standard US medical ethics.
What clue supports Passive euthanasia?
Choose Passive euthanasia when the stem gives this contrasting pattern: Passive euthanasia refers to withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment when consistent with patient wishes, allowing disease to take its course.
Quick answers
What is the fastest way to tell Active euthanasia from Passive euthanasia?
Active euthanasia directly causes death; passive withholding/withdrawing allows underlying disease to proceed.
What is the key clue for Active euthanasia?
Active euthanasia is directly administering an intervention intended to cause death and is not permitted in standard US medical ethics.
What is the key clue for Passive euthanasia?
Passive euthanasia refers to withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment when consistent with patient wishes, allowing disease to take its course.