A legal document (such as a Health Care Power of Attorney and/or a Living Will) signed by a competent person to provide guidance for medical and health care decisions (such as the termination of life support or organ donation) in the event the person is incapacitated or becomes incompetent to make such decisions.
— © 2023 Merriam-Webster
Occurs when one or more health conditions become serious enough that general health, functioning decline, and treatments begin to lose their impact. This is a process that continues to the end of life.
— © 2023 American Hospital Association
The donation of the whole body to medical or scientific research. Once donated, the body may be used for surgical training, scientific research, and anatomy lessons for medical students, promoting the advancement of medical science.
(See also, Body Donation or Organ Donation)
— © 2023 Funeral Basics
An antibacterial substance (such as penicillin, cephalosporin, and ciprofloxacin) used to treat or prevent infections by killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria in or on the body, that is administered orally, topically, or by injection, and that is isolated from cultures of certain microorganisms (such as fungi) or is of semi-synthetic or synthetic origin.
— © 2023 Merriam-Webster
A treatment intervention that provides water and salt to someone who is too sick to drink enough on their own or who has problems swallowing.
Artificial hydration is given through:
* an IV in a vein or under the skin,
* a tube placed through the nose into the stomach, or
* a tube placed by surgery through the skin into the stomach or intestines.
— © 2014 Coalition for Compassionate Care of California
A treatment intervention that delivers nutrition into the body by means other than a person taking something in his/her mouth and swallowing it.
Artificial nutrition is broadly given in two (2) ways:
* through a tube placed in the gastrointestinal tract (entreal) or
* via catheter (parenteral).
(See also, Feeding Tube)
— © 2014 American Hospice Foundation
The rhythmic forcing of air into and out of the lungs of a person whose breathing has stopped, is failing, or is inadequate.
(See also, Artificial Ventilation or Mechanical Ventilation)
— © 2023 Merriam-Webster
The rhythmic forcing of air into and out of the lungs of a person whose breathing has stopped, is failing, or is inadequate.
(See also, Artificial Respiration or Mechanical Ventilation)
— © 2023 Merriam-Webster
The state of suffering the loss of something or the death of someone.
— © 2023 Merriam-Webster
The donation of the whole body to medical or scientific research. Once donated, the body may be used for surgical training, scientific research, and anatomy lessons for medical students, promoting the advancement of medical science.
(See also, Anatomical Donation to Science or Organ Donation)
— © 2023 Funeral Basics
A very small tubular medical device inserted into canals, vessels, passageways, or body cavities, usually to permit injection or withdrawal of fluids, or to keep a passage open.
— © 2023 Merriam-Webster
A life-saving technique used in emergencies, such as a heart attack or near drowning, where someone’s breathing or heartbeat has stopped. It is designed to restore a person’s normal breathing and heartbeat that includes the:
* clearance of air passages to the lungs,
* mouth-to-mouth method of artificial respiration, and
* heart massage by the exertion of pressure on the chest.
— © 2023 Merriam-Webster & © 2022 Mayo Clinic
A cerebrovascular accident (CVA), an ischemic stroke or “ brain attack,” is a sudden loss of brain function resulting from a disruption of the blood supply to a part of the brain. Cerebrovascular accident or stroke is the primary cerebrovascular disorder in the United States.
A medical order that allows a patient–or health care agent on their behalf–to refuse cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) attempts, in two situations: if the patient stops breathing or the patient’s heart stops. A DNR only applies to the decision to withhold CPR: it does not apply to other life-sustaining treatments.
Note:
Even with a DNR, a patient may still receive medical treatments, medicines, surgeries, and procedures. DNR forms should posted prominently in the patient’s place of residence, typically on the refrigerator, for Emergency Medical Services (EMS). In the absence of a DNR signed by a physician, EMS will be legally obligated to perform CPR, if the patient has stopped breathing or if the patient’s heart has stopped.
A DNR form must be obtained from and signed by a physician.
A treatment intervention that delivers nutrition into the body by means other than a person taking something in his/her mouth and swallowing it.
Artificial nutrition is broadly given in two (2) ways:
* through a tube placed in the gastrointestinal tract (entreal) or
* via catheter (parenteral).
(See also, Artificial Nutrition)
— © 2014 American Hospice Foundation
The rhythmic forcing of air into and out of the lungs of a person whose breathing has stopped, is failing, or is inadequate.
(See also, Artificial Respiration or Artificial Ventilation)
— © 2023 Merriam-Webster
A medical order that allows a patient–or health care agent on their behalf–to set forth his or her health care and end-of-life care instructions when faced with a life-threatening medical condition. MOST forms should posted prominently in the patient’s place of residence, typically on the refrigerator, for Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
A MOST form provides guidance on whether the following treatments should or should not be administered:
– Antibiotics
– Artificial hydration and nutrition
– CPR – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
– Medical interventions (mechanical breathing, intubation)
A MOST form must be obtained from and signed by a physician.
