Which term describes a conscious medical act that results in the death of a person who is dying?

• A. Access
• B. Health disparity
• C. Active euthanasia
• D. Palliative care

Answer: (C)

Active euthanasia refers to a deliberate action by a clinician to end a patient’s life, typically to relieve suffering in a dying person. This is why it’s the best term for a conscious act that results in death. Palliative care, by contrast, aims to relieve pain and improve comfort without intentionally shortening life. With passive euthanasia, the care team withholds or withdraws life-sustaining treatment rather than actively causing death. Health disparity and access describe inequities and availability of care, not the intent or act of ending a life.