Category / Case Studies / Challenging patient encounters / Medical Ethics
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![Man holding his head in pain.]()
Case Study: Behavioral Issues Lead to Challenging Discharge
Bioethics case study on Mr. Ankeal with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and multiple other chronic conditions, including chronic pain has been hospitalized. He has been moving between outpatient dialysis centers for several months due to repeated behavioral issues. The hospital care team has been unable to find an outpatient dialysis clinic willing to accept him due to his documented behavioral history. Published by the Center for Practical Bioethics.
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![A woman's face showing stress.]()
Case Study – Moral Culpability for Respecting Patients’ Autonomy
This patient has a long history of IV drug abuse but communicates to the health team that his recent hospitalization has brought some clarity in that regard, and he vows to “give up doing drugs.”
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![Person holding up their hand to the camera with the word "no" written on it.]()
Case Study – It’s been prescribed. She won’t take it. The Ethics of Non-Adherence
. . .her PCP notes that Peggy was prescribed blood pressure medication several years ago, which she has not been taking despite her family’s constant pleas.
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![Angry older man.]()
Case Study – The Noncompliant or Nonadherent Patient
Rick is a 78-year-old male patient, suffering from ESRD, among other ailments. Rick is known to the hospital staff as being a “problem patient.” He has a history of noncompliance and behavioral issues, including being verbally abusive to family and staff.
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![A close up of a man with a tear coming from his eye.]()
Case Study –God Wants Me to Suffer. Hospital Care and Religious Beliefs
Landon is a 47-year-old father of two who has a history of alcohol abuse but has been sober for over a year. He was admitted from the emergency department, where he presented earlier this morning with acute abdominal pain. He was diagnosed with pancreatitis and biliary colic, indicating the need for a cholecystectomy (a laparoscopic procedure to remove the gallbladder to prevent gall stones, pain and infection).
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![Man appearing isolated.]()
Case Study – Go Home and Die Alone. Social Isolation
Riley is a 42-year-old who identifies as male. He was admitted to the hospital for shortness of breath and kidney complications. Riley is found to be in acute kidney failure, with his nephrologist recommending dialysis. Riley does have decision-making capacity but does not have any family or surrogate decision maker.
