TERMIUM Plus®
The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.
LIFE-SUSTAINING [12 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2018-07-26
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Medication
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- life-sustaining drug
1, record 1, English, life%2Dsustaining%20drug
correct
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
- life-preserving drug 2, record 1, English, life%2Dpreserving%20drug
correct
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
For example, the lack of a life-sustaining drug may play a role in a death just as easily as the presence of a toxic drug. 3, record 1, English, - life%2Dsustaining%20drug
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Médicaments
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- médicament essentiel au maintien de la vie
1, record 1, French, m%C3%A9dicament%20essentiel%20au%20maintien%20de%20la%20vie
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
- médicament essentiel à la vie 2, record 1, French, m%C3%A9dicament%20essentiel%20%C3%A0%20la%20vie
correct, masculine noun
- médicament vital 3, record 1, French, m%C3%A9dicament%20vital
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Medicamentos
Record 1, Main entry term, Spanish
- medicamento esencial para la vida
1, record 1, Spanish, medicamento%20esencial%20para%20la%20vida
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 1, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record 2 - internal organization data 2018-07-26
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- Health Law
- Special-Language Phraseology
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- right to refuse life-sustaining treatment
1, record 2, English, right%20to%20refuse%20life%2Dsustaining%20treatment
correct
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
Record 2, Synonyms, English
- right to decline life-sustaining treatment 2, record 2, English, right%20to%20decline%20life%2Dsustaining%20%20treatment
correct
Record 2, Textual support, English
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 CONT
... not all patients wanted aggressive life-sustaining treatment and so began the "right to die" movement. It advocated for greater patient autonomy and the right to refuse life-sustaining treatment, a right which has now been recognized in Canadian law. 3, record 2, English, - right%20to%20refuse%20life%2Dsustaining%20treatment
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Droit de la santé
- Phraséologie des langues de spécialité
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- droit de refuser un traitement de survie
1, record 2, French, droit%20de%20refuser%20un%20traitement%20de%20survie
correct, masculine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
Record 2, Synonyms, French
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 CONT
[Elle] voulait qu'on lui retire son respirateur. Pour obtenir cela, elle a dû porter son cas devant les tribunaux et, avec sa famille, endurer tout le débat public qui a entouré son droit de refuser le traitement de survie. 2, record 2, French, - droit%20de%20refuser%20un%20traitement%20de%20survie
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Derecho de salud
- Fraseología de los lenguajes especializados
Record 2, Main entry term, Spanish
- derecho a rechazar un tratamiento para seguir viviendo
1, record 2, Spanish, derecho%20a%20rechazar%20un%20tratamiento%20para%20seguir%20viviendo
proposal, masculine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 2, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Record 3 - internal organization data 2018-07-26
Record 3, English
Record 3, Subject field(s)
- Non-Surgical Treatment
- Surgery
- Medication
Record 3, Main entry term, English
- life-sustaining treatment
1, record 3, English, life%2Dsustaining%20treatment
correct
Record 3, Abbreviations, English
Record 3, Synonyms, English
- life-prolonging treatment 2, record 3, English, life%2Dprolonging%20treatment
correct
- life-preserving treatment 3, record 3, English, life%2Dpreserving%20treatment
correct
- life-sustaining therapy 4, record 3, English, life%2Dsustaining%20%20therapy
correct
- life-prolonging therapy 5, record 3, English, life%2Dprolonging%20therapy
correct
- life-sustaining procedure 6, record 3, English, life%2Dsustaining%20%20procedure
correct
- life-sustaining intervention 7, record 3, English, life%2Dsustaining%20%20intervention
correct
- life-prolonging intervention 8, record 3, English, life%2Dprolonging%20intervention
correct
Record 3, Textual support, English
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
[A medical measure] that [has] the potential to postpone [a] patient's death. 2, record 3, English, - life%2Dsustaining%20treatment
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 OBS
It includes artificial nutrition and hydration. 9, record 3, English, - life%2Dsustaining%20treatment
Record 3, French
Record 3, Domaine(s)
- Traitements non chirurgicaux
- Chirurgie
- Médicaments
Record 3, Main entry term, French
- traitement de survie
1, record 3, French, traitement%20de%20survie
correct, masculine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, French
Record 3, Synonyms, French
- traitement vital 2, record 3, French, traitement%20vital
correct, masculine noun
- traitement essentiel au maintien de la vie 3, record 3, French, traitement%20essentiel%20au%20maintien%20de%20la%20vie
correct, masculine noun
- intervention de survie 4, record 3, French, intervention%20de%20survie
correct, feminine noun
- intervention vitale 5, record 3, French, intervention%20vitale
correct, feminine noun
- intervention essentielle au maintien de la vie 3, record 3, French, intervention%20essentielle%20au%20maintien%20de%20la%20vie
correct, feminine noun
- traitement visant la prolongation de la vie 6, record 3, French, traitement%20visant%20la%20prolongation%20de%20la%20vie
correct, masculine noun
- intervention visant la prolongation de la vie 7, record 3, French, intervention%20visant%20la%20prolongation%20de%20la%20vie
correct, feminine noun
Record 3, Textual support, French
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Acte médical visant à retarder la mort d'un patient. 8, record 3, French, - traitement%20de%20survie
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Y sont comprises l'hydratation et l'alimentation artificielles. 9, record 3, French, - traitement%20de%20survie
Record 3, Spanish
Record 3, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Tratamiento sin cirugía
- Cirugía
- Medicamentos
Record 3, Main entry term, Spanish
- tratamiento para prolongar la vida
1, record 3, Spanish, tratamiento%20para%20prolongar%20la%20vida
correct, masculine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 3, Synonyms, Spanish
- tratamiento para alargar la vida 2, record 3, Spanish, tratamiento%20para%20alargar%20la%20vida
correct, masculine noun
Record 3, Textual support, Spanish
Record 4 - internal organization data 2016-10-24
Record 4, English
Record 4, Subject field(s)
- Non-Surgical Treatment
- Hygiene and Health
Record 4, Main entry term, English
- life-sustaining
1, record 4, English, life%2Dsustaining
correct
Record 4, Abbreviations, English
Record 4, Synonyms, English
Record 4, Textual support, English
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 DEF
[Referring to something that helps] someone ... to stay alive. 2, record 4, English, - life%2Dsustaining
Record 4, French
Record 4, Domaine(s)
- Traitements non chirurgicaux
- Hygiène et santé
Record 4, Main entry term, French
- essentiel au maintien de la vie
1, record 4, French, essentiel%20au%20maintien%20de%20la%20vie
correct
Record 4, Abbreviations, French
Record 4, Synonyms, French
- vital 2, record 4, French, vital
correct
Record 4, Textual support, French
Record 4, Spanish
Record 4, Textual support, Spanish
Record 5 - internal organization data 2016-10-24
Record 5, English
Record 5, Subject field(s)
- Health Law
- Ethics and Morals
- Non-Surgical Treatment
- Sociology of Medicine
Record 5, Main entry term, English
- life-sustaining treatment withholding
1, record 5, English, life%2Dsustaining%20treatment%20withholding
correct
Record 5, Abbreviations, English
Record 5, Synonyms, English
Record 5, Textual support, English
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Withholding of life-sustaining treatment means not starting treatment that has the potential to sustain the life of a patient. An example of withholding of potentially life-sustaining treatment is not starting cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) when a patient's heart suddenly stops beating. 2, record 5, English, - life%2Dsustaining%20treatment%20withholding
Record 5, Key term(s)
- withholding of life-sustaining treatment
Record 5, French
Record 5, Domaine(s)
- Droit de la santé
- Éthique et Morale
- Traitements non chirurgicaux
- Sociologie de la médecine
Record 5, Main entry term, French
- abstention de traitement de survie
1, record 5, French, abstention%20de%20traitement%20de%20survie
correct, feminine noun
Record 5, Abbreviations, French
Record 5, Synonyms, French
- abstention de traitement de maintien de la vie 2, record 5, French, abstention%20de%20traitement%20de%20maintien%20de%20la%20vie
correct, feminine noun
- non-administration d'intervention de maintien de la vie 3, record 5, French, non%2Dadministration%20d%27intervention%20de%20maintien%20de%20la%20vie
correct, feminine noun
Record 5, Textual support, French
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Le Comité [sénatorial spécial sur l'euthanasie et l'aide au suicide] a défini l'abstention de traitement de survie comme étant le fait de ne pas amorcer un traitement susceptible de maintenir le patient en vie, par exemple ne pas tenter la réanimation cardiorespiratoire (RCR), ne pas donner une transfusion sanguine, ne pas administrer d'antibiotiques ou ne pas assurer l'alimentation et l'hydratation artificielles. 4, record 5, French, - abstention%20de%20traitement%20de%20survie
Record 5, Spanish
Record 5, Textual support, Spanish
Record 6 - internal organization data 2013-06-13
Record 6, English
Record 6, Subject field(s)
- Social Services and Social Work
- Emergency Management
Record 6, Main entry term, English
- life-sustaining service
1, record 6, English, life%2Dsustaining%20service
correct
Record 6, Abbreviations, English
Record 6, Synonyms, English
Record 6, Textual support, English
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 CONT
[A reception processing site] is intended to provide life-sustaining services, such as feeding, hydration, basic medical support and assignment and transportation to a shelter. 1, record 6, English, - life%2Dsustaining%20service
Record 6, French
Record 6, Domaine(s)
- Services sociaux et travail social
- Gestion des urgences
Record 6, Main entry term, French
- service de maintien de la vie
1, record 6, French, service%20de%20maintien%20de%20la%20vie
proposal, masculine noun
Record 6, Abbreviations, French
Record 6, Synonyms, French
- service de soutien de la vie 1, record 6, French, service%20de%20soutien%20de%20la%20vie
proposal, masculine noun
Record 6, Textual support, French
Record 6, Spanish
Record 6, Textual support, Spanish
Record 7 - internal organization data 2005-05-13
Record 7, English
Record 7, Subject field(s)
- Health Law
Record 7, Main entry term, English
- right to life-sustaining treatment
1, record 7, English, right%20to%20life%2Dsustaining%20treatment
correct
Record 7, Abbreviations, English
Record 7, Synonyms, English
Record 7, Textual support, English
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 CONT
The suggestion that legislation may be the only way in which a right to life-sustaining treatment can be established has prompted the [Manitoba Law Reform Commission's] review of this issue. 1, record 7, English, - right%20to%20life%2Dsustaining%20treatment
Record 7, Key term(s)
- right to life sustaining treatment
Record 7, French
Record 7, Domaine(s)
- Droit de la santé
Record 7, Main entry term, French
- droit au traitement de survie
1, record 7, French, droit%20au%20traitement%20de%20survie
correct, masculine noun
Record 7, Abbreviations, French
Record 7, Synonyms, French
Record 7, Textual support, French
Record 7, Spanish
Record 7, Textual support, Spanish
Record 8 - internal organization data 2005-05-12
Record 8, English
Record 8, Subject field(s)
- Medical and Hospital Organization
- Health Law
- Special-Language Phraseology
Record 8, Main entry term, English
- withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment
1, record 8, English, withdrawal%20of%20life%2Dsustaining%20treatment
correct
Record 8, Abbreviations, English
Record 8, Synonyms, English
- withdrawing of life-sustaining treatment 2, record 8, English, withdrawing%20of%20life%2Dsustaining%20%20treatment
correct
Record 8, Textual support, English
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Withdrawing of life-sustaining treatment means stopping treatment that has the potential to sustain the life of patient. An example of withdrawing of potentially life-sustaining treatment is the stopping of artificial nutrition and hydration for a patient in a persistent vegetative state. 3, record 8, English, - withdrawal%20of%20life%2Dsustaining%20treatment
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 2 CONT
The [Special Senate Committee on euthanasia and Assisted Suicide] recognizes that the withholding and withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment is legal when it is requested by a competent patient. 4, record 8, English, - withdrawal%20of%20life%2Dsustaining%20treatment
Record 8, Key term(s)
- withdrawal of life sustaining treatment
- withdrawing of life sustaining treatment
Record 8, French
Record 8, Domaine(s)
- Organisation médico-hospitalière
- Droit de la santé
- Phraséologie des langues de spécialité
Record 8, Main entry term, French
- interruption de traitement de survie
1, record 8, French, interruption%20de%20traitement%20de%20survie
correct, feminine noun
Record 8, Abbreviations, French
Record 8, Synonyms, French
- arrêt de traitement de survie 2, record 8, French, arr%C3%AAt%20de%20traitement%20de%20survie
masculine noun
- cessation de traitement de survie 2, record 8, French, cessation%20de%20traitement%20de%20survie
feminine noun
Record 8, Textual support, French
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 CONT
[...] l'interruption de traitement de survie [...] désigne le fait de cesser un traitement susceptible de maintenir le patient en vie, par exemple débrancher le respirateur ou enlever la sonde gastrique qui assure l'alimentation et l'hydratation. 3, record 8, French, - interruption%20de%20traitement%20de%20survie
Record 8, Spanish
Record 8, Textual support, Spanish
Record 9 - internal organization data 2002-01-29
Record 9, English
Record 9, Subject field(s)
- Environmental Economics
- Pollution (General)
Record 9, Main entry term, English
- life-sustaining qualities of the Earth
1, record 9, English, life%2Dsustaining%20qualities%20of%20the%20Earth
correct, plural
Record 9, Abbreviations, English
Record 9, Synonyms, English
Record 9, French
Record 9, Domaine(s)
- Économie environnementale
- Pollution (Généralités)
Record 9, Main entry term, French
- capacités nourricières de la Terre
1, record 9, French, capacit%C3%A9s%20nourrici%C3%A8res%20de%20la%20Terre
correct, feminine noun, plural
Record 9, Abbreviations, French
Record 9, Synonyms, French
Record 9, Textual support, French
Record 9, Spanish
Record 9, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Economía del medio ambiente
- Contaminación (Generalidades)
Record 9, Main entry term, Spanish
- capacidad de la Tierra de sustentar la vida
1, record 9, Spanish, capacidad%20de%20la%20Tierra%20de%20sustentar%20la%20vida
feminine noun
Record 9, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 9, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 9, Textual support, Spanish
Record 10 - internal organization data 2000-07-27
Record 10, English
Record 10, Subject field(s)
- Titles of Federal Laws and Regulations (Canadian)
- Health Law
- Ethics and Morals
Record 10, Main entry term, English
- An Act to facilitate the making of legitimate medical decisions regarding life-sustaining treatments and the controlling of pain
1, record 10, English, An%20Act%20to%20facilitate%20the%20making%20of%20legitimate%20medical%20decisions%20regarding%20life%2Dsustaining%20treatments%20and%20the%20controlling%20of%20pain
correct, Canada
Record 10, Abbreviations, English
Record 10, Synonyms, English
Record 10, French
Record 10, Domaine(s)
- Titres de lois et de règlements fédéraux canadiens
- Droit de la santé
- Éthique et Morale
Record 10, Main entry term, French
- Loi facilitant la prise de décisions médicales légitimes relativement aux traitements de survie et au traitement de la douleur
1, record 10, French, Loi%20facilitant%20la%20prise%20de%20d%C3%A9cisions%20m%C3%A9dicales%20l%C3%A9gitimes%20relativement%20aux%20traitements%20de%20survie%20et%20au%20traitement%20de%20la%20douleur
correct, feminine noun, Canada
Record 10, Abbreviations, French
Record 10, Synonyms, French
Record 10, Textual support, French
Record 10, Spanish
Record 10, Textual support, Spanish
Record 11 - internal organization data 1999-10-15
Record 11, English
Record 11, Subject field(s)
- Medical Instruments and Devices
Record 11, Main entry term, English
- life-sustaining supplies
1, record 11, English, life%2Dsustaining%20supplies
correct
Record 11, Abbreviations, English
Record 11, Synonyms, English
Record 11, French
Record 11, Domaine(s)
- Instruments et appareillages médicaux
Record 11, Main entry term, French
- matériel essentiel au maintien de la vie
1, record 11, French, mat%C3%A9riel%20essentiel%20au%20maintien%20de%20la%20vie
correct, masculine noun
Record 11, Abbreviations, French
Record 11, Synonyms, French
Record 11, Textual support, French
Record 11, Spanish
Record 11, Textual support, Spanish
Record 12 - internal organization data 1996-07-11
Record 12, English
Record 12, Subject field(s)
- Translation (General)
Record 12, Main entry term, English
- life-sustaining procedures 1, record 12, English, life%2Dsustaining%20procedures
Record 12, Abbreviations, English
Record 12, Synonyms, English
Record 12, Key term(s)
- life sustaining procedures
- life-sustaining procedure
- life sustaining procedure
Record 12, French
Record 12, Domaine(s)
- Traduction (Généralités)
Record 12, Main entry term, French
- procédures de survie
1, record 12, French, proc%C3%A9dures%20de%20survie
feminine noun, plural
Record 12, Abbreviations, French
Record 12, Synonyms, French
- procédures de maintien en vie 1, record 12, French, proc%C3%A9dures%20de%20maintien%20en%20vie
feminine noun, plural
- procédures de soutien de la vie 1, record 12, French, proc%C3%A9dures%20de%20soutien%20de%20la%20vie
feminine noun, plural
Record 12, Textual support, French
Record 12, Key term(s)
- procédure de survie
- procédure de maintien en vie
- procédure de soutien de la vie
Record 12, Spanish
Record 12, Textual support, Spanish
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