Year: 1991 Source: American Journal of Nursing, v.91, no.7, (July 1991), p.33-34 SIEC No: 19920394

The author describes the moral & ethical dilemma she faced while treating a hospice patient who wanted to die but who could not have completed suicide without assistance. The author had to decide if, in fact, it was her duty to inform the patient of all his rights & options, including the right of refusing treatment. She did advise him of this option & he chose to stop taking his medication, thus hastening his death.