Reference no: EM133765479

Assignment:

This assignment will focus on introducing you to the question of human dignity and, in particular, the Christian perspective of the intrinsic worth and value of each person. You will have the opportunity to integrate this insight with scientific and philosophical approaches that inform judgments made in health care and contrast it with secular approaches to human value and worth. The logic of human rights will be made explicit as you engage with different concepts of "moral status."

Based on your reading of the "Case Study: Fetal Abnormality" and topic Resources, complete the "Moral Status: Case Analysis" document, in which you will analyze the case study in relation to the following:

• Christian view of the nature of human persons, theory of moral status, intrinsic human value, and dignity
• Theory or theories used by individuals in the case to determine the moral status
• How each theory used determines or influences recommendations for action
• Moral status theory personal response
• Integration of knowledge in health care (theories, multiple ways of knowing, evidence) and knowledge from other disciplines inform and support current or future professional health care practices and judgments

Case Study: Fetal AbnormalityJessica is a 30-year-old immigrant from Mexico City. She and her husband, Marco, have been in the United States for the last three years and have finally earned enough money to move out of their Aunt Maria's home and into an apartment of their own. They are both hard workers. Jessica works 50 hours a week at a local restaurant and Marco has been contracting side jobs in construction. Six months before their move to an apartment, Jessica finds out she is pregnant. Four months later, Jessica and Marco arrive at the county hospital, a large, public, nonteaching hospital. A preliminary ultrasound indicates a possible abnormality with the fetus.

Further scans are conducted, and it is determined that the fetus has a rare condition in which it has not developed any arms and will not likely develop them. There is also a 25% chance that the fetus may have Down syndrome. Dr. Wilson, the primary attending physician, is seeing Jessica for the first time, since she and Marco did not receive earlier prenatal care over concerns about finances. Marco insists that Dr. Wilson refrain from telling Jessica the scan results, assuring him that he will tell his wife himself when she is emotionally ready for the news. While Marco and Dr. Wilson are talking in another room, Aunt Maria walks into the room with a distressed look on her face. She can tell that something is wrong and inquires of Dr. Wilson.

After hearing of the diagnosis, she walks out of the room wailing loudly and praying aloud.Marco and Dr. Wilson continue their discussion, and Dr. Wilson insists that he has an obligation to Jessica as his patient and that she has a right to know the diagnosis of the fetus. He furthermore is intent on discussing all relevant factors and options regarding the next step, including abortion. Marco insists on taking some time to think of how to break the news to Jessica, but Dr. Wilson, frustrated with the direction of the conversation, informs the husband that such a choice is not his to make. Dr. Wilson proceeds back across the hall, where he walks in on Aunt Maria awkwardly praying with Jessica and phoning the priest. At that point, Dr. Wilson gently but briefly informs Jessica of the diagnosis and lays out the option for abortion as a responsible medical alternative, given the quality of life such a child would have.

Jessica looks at him and struggles to hold back her tears. Jessica is torn between her hopes of a better socioeconomic position and increased independence, along with her conviction that all life is sacred. Marco will support Jessica in whatever decision she makes but is finding it difficult not to view the pregnancy and the prospects of a disabled child as a burden and a barrier to their economic security and plans. Dr. Wilson lays out all of the options but clearly makes his view known that abortion is "scientifically" and medically a wise choice in this situation. Aunt Maria pleads with Jessica to follow through with the pregnancy and allow what "God intends" to take place and urges Jessica to think of her responsibility as a mother

Support your response using only Chapter 2 from the textbook Practicing Dignity: An Introduction to Christian Values and Decision-Making in Health Care and the Topic 2 Resource "The Image of God, Bioethics, and Persons With Profound Intellectual Disabilities."

While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.Explanation of the Christian view of the nature of human persons, the theory of moral status that it is compatible with, and its relationship to the intrinsic human value and dignity demonstrates a thorough, concise, and exceptional understanding of the concepts. Explanation is supported with references to relevant textbook chapter and topic Resource.

Rationale for the theory or theories that are used by each person to determine the moral status of the fetus demonstrates a thorough, concise, and exceptional understanding of the concepts. Explanation is supported with references to relevant textbook chapter and topic Resource and case study examples.

Explanation of how each theory used determines or influences each of their recommendations for action demonstrates a thorough, concise, and exceptional understanding of the concepts. Explanation is supported with references to textbook chapter and relevant topic Resource.

Rationale for which theory is preferable within personal practice along with how that theory would influence personal recommendations for action demonstrates a thorough, concise, and exceptional understanding of the concepts. Explanation is supported with references to relevant textbook chapter and topic Resource.

Explanation of how the integration of knowledge in health care and knowledge from other disciplines inform and support current or future professional health care practices and judgements demonstrates a thorough, concise, and exceptional understanding of the concepts. Explanation is supported with references to relevant textbook chapter and topic Resource.

No mechanical errors are present. Appropriate language choice and sentence structure are used throughout.