anasia are still not accepted; assisted suicide is illegal in most states and euthanasia remains illegal in all states (Angell, 1997).
Curtin (1995) reports that confusion exists regarding the term euthanasia. In 1994, the American Nurses' Association Board of Directors made a statement regarding the term euthanasia; it is reported as defined and characterized in many ways. Active euthanasia is stated as referring to someone other than the patient who commits an action to end the patient's life. Euthanasia is subdivided at times into voluntary (patient consent), involuntary (patient refuses), and nonvoluntary (patient is unable to consent). Active euthanasia in this case refers to actions that are inconsistent with the ANA Code for Nurses and are therefore ethically unacceptable. The principal axiom that directs ethical judgments for nurses is respect for persons, which is extended to patients, families, nurse colleagues, and team members. The role of the nurse is to promote, preserve, and protect human li
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