Category / Case Studies / End of Life Ethics / Medical Ethics / Nursing Ethics
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![Close up of a stethoscope draped around a doctor's neck wearing a white lab coat.]()
Case Study – A Multidisciplinary Healthcare Team Disagrees
Most members of the ICU team, and the palliative care consultant, believe that prognosis is poor and death is imminent. Their patient is still Full Code, however, and his wife and daughter are adamant that providers “continue to do everything that will work.”
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![A man's legs.]()
Case Study – Whose Decision?
Jorge replies, “I don’t want to die! But please, please, don’t cut off my legs! Please, Doctor! No one will take my legs! I can’t live without legs!”
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![ICU monitor.]()
Case Study –Too little, too late… almost
Angelie is tired and losing motivation. She feels hopeless and is struggling to find the passion that led her to the nursing profession in the first place. She ponders quitting, doing something else with less stress, whether or not the pay is better.
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Case Study – Trying to Honor Johnny’s Wishes
“I know I’m not doing well and that my time here is limited. So, I want you to promise me that you’ll keep me alive long enough to touch my oldest daughter’s hand and say goodbye.” Carson shakes his hand, with every intention to keep this promise.
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![Man standing high up.]()
Case Study – “God will restore his leg. The doctors will see.” Patient Nonadherence.
Collin takes a moment to further underscore the complications and consequences that may arise from not having the leg amputated, including death, but it appears Xiang has made up his mind.
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![Nurse looking distressed.]()
Case Study – Moral Dimensions of Medical Negligence
I should have been paying more attention. Should have insisted on either helping Lyle or finding a CNA to do so. I feel so bad. If Lyle doesn’t recover, if he dies . . . . Oh, my God. Did I kill him?” John is distraught.
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![Nurse resting on a sofa.]()
Case Study – Moral Distress of Hospital Workers
Unable to answer the question definitively, Sandra is left speechless. This is not the first patient with severe COVID for whom she’s provided nursing care. Apart from the incredibly high number of COVID hospitalizations recently, there has also been a disturbingly high number of COVID deaths, and it’s all been taking an emotional toll on hospital staff, including Sandra.
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![Microscopic view of blood vein.]()
Case Study – The Ethics of Blood Shortages
Her hemoglobin is notably low, requiring transfusions to make the patient feel better, but without any hemorrhaging site noted. With proper care, inclusive of additional blood transfusions, Graciela’s prognosis is estimated to be a life expectancy of 3 to 6 months.
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![Hay bales in a field.]()
Case Study – Do I Sell the Family Farm for this Treatment?
A 55-year-old, male-identifying patient is admitted to the hospital from ER for respiratory distress and other distressing symptoms that had come on rather quickly. The patient’s name is Tom.
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![Woman in pain looking out a window.]()
Case Study – Vaccination Mandates
A referring nephrologist believes that Sonya needs a kidney transplant for longer term survival, as well as improved quality of life. The transplant program to which Sonya is referred urges all patients to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
