Instructions:

This assessment requires you to apply your understanding of ethical issues. Specifically, this assessment requires you to demonstrate your understanding and application of ethical theory and principles in one of the two case studies below. You are required to justify whether you will follow the doctor’s orders in case one, or whether you will follow the family’s wishes in case two.

Remember that the focus of assessment Two is ethical and not legal issues. Thus, for example, even though there may be legal issues within this scenario, limit your discussion to ethical issues.

Case study 1:

Ms. X is a 42-year-old female who has been brought into your facility by ambulance in a critical condition and is scheduled for emergency surgery following a severe motor vehicle accident. You are aware that her husband and child did not survive the accident. She is almost hysterical and is asking you repeatedly about the condition of her loved ones as you prepare her for emergency surgery. Finally, she refuses to sign the consent for surgery until she gets news that her husband and child are okay. Without surgery, her chances of survival are very poor. The surgeon tells you to assure her that everything is being done for her loved ones and she will see them after the surgery.

Case study 2:

Mr. M is a 72-year-old man of Eastern European origin who presented to your facility with abdominal pain and nausea. He has had a series of scans, which showed an abnormality in his liver; a biopsy revealed a diagnosis of metastatic cancer. He was told of this finding and that he would need immediate surgery and start chemotherapy. He was admitted to the surgical unit; however, on admission, the patient’s family told the staff that complete truthfulness about terminal illness would be against his cultural norms and would severely overwhelm him. They further stated that it was their duty as a family to protect him and that he would expect this. During surgery, it was found that the tumour was unable to be removed. Following the family’s wishes, Mr. M has been told that his recovery would be lengthy and require ongoing treatment.

Assessment requirements:

Question 1: Identify the ethical issues in your chosen scenario. Provide a brief overview of the ethical principles and theory related to the scenario. Analysis of Ethical Issues

Question 2: Undertake an analysis of the most relevant ethical principles and theory in relation to the scenario using appropriate literature.