COLLAPSE

Because morphine lowers breathing, heart rate and blood pressure to dangerously low levels, it is an open question whether palliative care hastens death. Some critics argue that if both practices result in death, there is little difference between palliative care and active euthanasia.

Active euthanasia is when a substance is administered or a direct action is taken that results in death. Keeping in mind hospice is not always for terminal patients or those towards the end of life and that hospice care is a type of palliative care, what is palliative care? Why do some critics claim there are similarities?

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Palliative care is specialized medical care focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress ... View the full answer