Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oklahoma, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 110-129).

Thesis (M.T.S.)--Catholic Theological Union at Chicago, 1990. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 108-114).

Life-support treatment is regarded as the support of vital functions of respiration and circulation such as mechanical ventilation and inotropic support, and life-sustaining therapy which incorporate therapies such as artificial hydration, nutrition and haemodialysis. Life-support treatment is rendered to critically ill patients within the intensive care units. However, when treatment options are maximised, and the patient’s condition is unchanged, a decision is often made to withdraw treatment. Professional nurses are usually involved in the process of withdrawal of life-support treatment as they care for this population of patients. The study followed a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research paradigm in order to explore and describe the perceptions of professional nurses with regard to the process of withdrawing life-support treatment in a private intensive care unit. Data was collected by means of interviews, which were transcribed according to Tesch’s method of analysis. Field notes were used to supplement the data findings. Based on the data collected, it is clear that professional nurses experience difficulties when performing withdrawal of life-support treatment. There are a number of communication concerns which need to be addressed and suggestions were also made by the interview participants regarding these concerns. The study makes recommendations to assist professional nurses with the process of withdrawing life-support treatment in a private intensive care unit. The findings of the study will be disseminated to the relevant hospital and unit managers. Ethical principles were maintained throughout the study by adhering to the principles of privacy, confidentiality, anonymity and beneficence.