Reference no: EM133287288

Question - Here is an ethical scenario: Mr. Jones had a heart attack. He is 68 years old, prior to this event he had been living an active life playing golf twice a week, with his son Charles. Although the event was witnessed by his wife of forty-eight (48) years and she tried to resuscitate him while the ambulance was on its way, she was not able to arouse him. When the emergency medical team arrived, they were able to obtain a pulse and intubated him in the field. He was transported to his local hospital, where he has been in the intensive care unit (ICU) for four (4) days. The family lives about an hour from the hospital and has no transportation. Neither Mrs. Jones or her son Charles drive.

The treating team physicians have been keeping Mrs. Jones and her adult son Charles updated daily via telephone, although the news has been consistently grim. He has not awakened. He does not open his eyes nor respond to pain. The physicians believe he has suffered such a serious anoxic brain injury that he is not expected to improve. They are recommending that they remove the respirator and shift to comfort measures only.  Mrs. Jones has been open to that recommendation while Charles is not! Although she and her husband did not have Advance Directives (ADs), she did not think he would want to survive if he would have a loss of independence.  Knowing his father's wish and poor prognosis, the son expressed his desire to do all possible treatment and would not agree to a shift to comfort measures. You have been asked by Mrs. Jones to help change her son's demands.

1. Is this an ethical dilemma, what principles are involved?

2. How would you handle the situation?

Use peer reviewed articles 2017-2022 and list.