Which form involves withholding treatment?

Which form involves withholding treatment?

• A. Active euthanasia
• B. Passive euthanasia
• C. Voluntary euthanasia
• D. Euthanasia

Answer: (B)

Withholding life-sustaining treatment is a form of passive euthanasia. When a decision is made not to start or to stop interventions like CPR, mechanical ventilation, dialysis, or artificial nutrition and hydration, death may occur as a result of the underlying illness rather than an intentional act to end life. The key idea is that no direct action is taken to cause death; death follows from not providing treatment. Active euthanasia involves a deliberate action to cause death (for example, giving a lethal dose). Voluntary euthanasia refers to euthanasia performed at the patient’s request, typically through an active step. Euthanasia, in general, describes the intention to end a life to relieve suffering and can be framed as either active or passive.

Withholding life-sustaining treatment is a form of passive euthanasia. When a decision is made not to start or to stop interventions like CPR, mechanical ventilation, dialysis, or artificial nutrition and hydration, death may occur as a result of the underlying illness rather than an intentional act to end life. The key idea is that no direct action is taken to cause death; death follows from not providing treatment. Active euthanasia involves a deliberate action to cause death (for example, giving a lethal dose). Voluntary euthanasia refers to euthanasia performed at the patient’s request, typically through an active step. Euthanasia, in general, describes the intention to end a life to relieve suffering and can be framed as either active or passive.