Thomasma D C, Brumlik J
Am J Med. 1984 Aug;77(2):373-7. doi: 10.1016/0002-9343(84)90725-3.
A case of remitting vegetative state is presented illustrating the need to draw a distinction between persistent and remitting vegetative states in brain-damaged patients. Standard ethical considerations regarding dying patients cannot be universally applied to remitting vegetative states, which are best handled in a context of an ethics of discretion, rather than an ethics of rules. Ethical obligations towards such persons are presented. When the patient cannot assent to withdrawal of treatment, it is suggested that decisions be made on the side of preserving life until the course becomes evidently downhill.
本文介绍了一例缓解性植物状态病例，说明了在脑损伤患者中区分持续性和缓解性植物状态的必要性。关于临终患者的标准伦理考量不能普遍适用于缓解性植物状态，缓解性植物状态最好在一种审慎伦理而非规则伦理的背景下处理。文中阐述了对此类患者的伦理义务。当患者无法同意停止治疗时，建议在生命明显恶化之前做出维持生命的决定。
