Reference no: EM132851558
Case Study
A 75-year man was admitted with a history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia with CNS involvement, meaning he has experienced metastasis to the brain. He was unconscious on admission and while in the emergency department. On examination he was noted with recurrent seizure, developed aspiration pneumonia.
He had a history of ischemic heart disease and previous disabling stroke 4 months earlier leaving him bedbound and requiring all care. He lived with his younger son and his family.
The consultant in charge met up with the son to provide an update and discuss the management plan. The consultant maintained that given his father's poor state, it was best to keep him comfortable, withdraw care, and stop intravenous fluids.
The patient was of Christian religion. He was also the Patriarch for the family who were practicing Adventist. The son, who was a consultant anesthetist, maintained that he did not want his father to suffer pain or be exposed to invasive diagnostics or treatments. However, he wished to discuss the plan with the other members of the family before formally agreeing.
Soon after, he returned to the ward explaining that the whole family was unhappy about withdrawing fluids or stopping treatments. The family felt that the patient should not be starved to death and would like a feeding nasogastric tube placed. He explained that the family felt strongly that their father should go peacefully if that was his fate but should not be deprived while alive. This difference in view caused disagreement and the consultant in charge very sensibly requested a second opinion from a colleague who was more knowledgeable in the patient's religion. The second opinion recommended that the patient should not be starved and that she should continue on treatments for 72 hours and if no improvement was noted, then the treatments should be withdrawn. The family agreed with the care plan. He also suggested taking over his care if the first consultant was agreeable.
1 In light of the above scenario, briefly discuss the steps taken to provide quality care.
2.What impact do you think spirituality would play in this case
3 Identify any ethical dilemma here. Also 4identify any ethical principle at play and briefly discuss it.
Looking at the above scenario, does the faith of the physician play any vital role in the patient's/family spirituality and decision? 5.Discuss in few sentences
Finally, as a health care provider, do how you think your religious background or faith impact your decision. If you encounter challenges, as in the above scenario, what should you do?