Explain beauchamps analysis of autonomy

Reference no: EM133246681

Assignment:

Topic

Consider the following case:

Mr. Q is a white 55-year-old man who injured his right foot some time ago and now it has turned gangrenous. The skin of his foot has turned black and the odor of the dead and dying skin is overwhelming. If Mr. Q does not have his right foot amputated, the gangrene could spread, requiring the loss of part of his leg or even a systemic infection which could kill him. However, despite the look and smell of his foot and the repeated statements of multiple doctors, Mr. Q refuses to accept that his foot must be amputated and says that if it is just left alone, it will get better. Mr. Q has been examined twice by independent psychiatrists and found to be wholly competent and cognizant and not in any general way mentally impaired, despite his strange refusal to accept medical advice about his foot and its treatment.

Part 1:

Explain, using Faden and Beauchamp's analysis of autonomy, why it is difficult to tell whether Mr. Q is making an autonomous decision in refusing treatment. Be sure to specifically identify which component or components of autonomy are questionable in Mr. Q's case. Overall, would Faden and Beauchamp conclude that Mr. Q's refusal of amputation is an autonomous decision or not?

Part 2:

You have been called in as an ethics consultant. Some of Mr. Q's treatment team believe that his foot should be amputated despite his refusal to consent because of the high probability of his death if it is not and the seeming irrationality of his refusal. Others on the team insist that all that should be done is repeatedly giving Mr. Q the medical facts, and beyond that his wishes, whatever they may be, should be respected. For this part of the paper, your job as ethics consultant is to give your opinion about the ethically best option. It is not your job in this part to address the team's legal obligations.

For purposes of this case, I want you to use either care ethics or virtue ethics as your theoretical basis. Do not use both, and do not use other ethical theories we have discussed. Describe, from your chosen perspective, whether you would inform the team that your expert opinion favors amputating Mr. Q's foot or leaving it alone.

Reference no: EM133246681

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