Under the Oregon Death with Dignity Act, which action must the prescribing physician take after issuing a prescription?

• A. Inform patient of alternatives
• B. Discontinue all other treatments
• C. Report to the state immediately
• D. Withhold information from family

Answer: (A)

The key idea is informed consent and patient autonomy under Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act. After issuing the prescription, the physician must ensure the patient understands all reasonable alternatives to hastening death, including palliative care, hospice, and other treatment options. This information supports a voluntary, informed decision about end-of-life care. The other actions don’t align with that obligation: discontinuing all other treatments isn’t required by the Act as a condition of the prescription, reporting to the state isn’t the immediate duty tied to issuing the prescription, and withholding information from family would undermine the patient’s right to be informed and to involve loved ones as appropriate.