Artificial Nutrition and Hydration
A method of delivering food and water when a patient is unable to eat or drink. The patient may be fed by a tube inserted directly into the stomach, a tube through the nose and throat into the stomach, or an intravenous tube. |
Artificial Means
| Manufactured or technical contrivances that may be attached to or integrated into the human body, which are not normally part of the human body. |
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
| A medical procedure, often involving external chest compression, administration of drugs and electric shock to restore the heartbeat at the time of cardiac arrest. |
Informed Consent
| Informed consent means that you are able to understand the nature, extent and probable consequences of proposed medical treatments. You are then able to make rational evaluations of the risks and benefits of alternate procedures. You must be able to communicate that understanding. |
Life-Sustaining Treatment
| A medical intervention administered to a patient that prolongs life and delays death. |
Permanent Unconscious State
| A permanent unconscious state means that a patient is in a permanent coma for at least four weeks. The patient is completely unaware of himself, his surroundings and environment and, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, cannot recovery. |
Terminal Condition
| A terminal condition is defined (in most states) as a status that is incurable or irreversible and in which death will occur in a short time. |
Ventilator
| A machine that moves air into the lungs for a patient who is unable to breathe naturally. |
Remember, because they are tools, Advance Directives can:
- Protect your right to make, or have others make, medical choices that affect your life.
- Help your family avoid the responsibility and stress of making difficult decisions.
- Help your physician by providing guidelines for your care and informing your health care decision maker of available choices and consequences.
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