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Multiple Choice

Which statement describes the Rule of Double Effect in end-of-life analgesia?

The Rule of Double Effect allows giving high-dose analgesia at the end of life to relieve severe suffering even if it may shorten life, as long as the death is not intended. The essential point is the clinician’s Intent: the primary aim is relief of pain or distress, not causing death. The potential death as a side effect must be unintended, and the means of achieving relief should not be death itself. The dose should be proportionate to the suffering and only as much as is needed to relieve symptoms, with ongoing assessment and justification for its use. In practice, this means providing adequate analgesia to alleviate suffering while recognizing that a shortened life might occur, but without intending that outcome. This principle does not require withdrawing analgesia to prevent death, nor does it forbid using high-dose analgesics when the goal is comfort.

The Rule of Double Effect allows giving high-dose analgesia at the end of life to relieve severe suffering even if it may shorten life, as long as the death is not intended. The essential point is the clinician’s Intent: the primary aim is relief of pain or distress, not causing death. The potential death as a side effect must be unintended, and the means of achieving relief should not be death itself. The dose should be proportionate to the suffering and only as much as is needed to relieve symptoms, with ongoing assessment and justification for its use. In practice, this means providing adequate analgesia to alleviate suffering while recognizing that a shortened life might occur, but without intending that outcome. This principle does not require withdrawing analgesia to prevent death, nor does it forbid using high-dose analgesics when the goal is comfort.