Case Analysis
Purdue University
Nursing 39100-105
Ava Billmann
Moral Dilemma Case Analysis Mark is an 84-year-old man living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In his most recent admission to the hospital, they have found that he has lung cancer and that it has spread to his brain. The doctors have told him that there is nothing that they can do, especially at his age, and have recommended hospice for comfort measures. Mark has mentioned to his family that he would like to be a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate). Suddenly, Mark becomes unconscious at family picnic and is taken to the hospital, where he needs assistance of a ventilator to breathe and the decision to put in DNR orders are raised. The family at this time still hasn’t decided about hospice care measures due the son not being ready. The son discusses with the nurse that his father does not want to be revived, but wants to keep his father alive. The nurse becomes very conflicted because she knows that this is not what Mark would have wanted. So, what should the nurse do?
Data and Identification of Conflicting Moral Claims The ethical dilemma in this story is that Mark’s wishes of not being resuscitated is not being followed, because his son does not …show more content…
I think originally the nurse should have had the care team step in right away so that it wouldn’t become the son vs the nurse. I think by having the physician express that Mark really will be suffering if he is kept alive will help sway the son in his decision. I also think that the situation was addressed correctly as the nurse identified the son’s stance was morally different from hers and knew that she needed the input of others to help decide what is best for Mark. In the end, the son appreciated all the information provided to him and has made the decision to make his father a
Purdue University
Nursing 39100-105
Ava Billmann
Moral Dilemma Case Analysis Mark is an 84-year-old man living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In his most recent admission to the hospital, they have found that he has lung cancer and that it has spread to his brain. The doctors have told him that there is nothing that they can do, especially at his age, and have recommended hospice for comfort measures. Mark has mentioned to his family that he would like to be a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate). Suddenly, Mark becomes unconscious at family picnic and is taken to the hospital, where he needs assistance of a ventilator to breathe and the decision to put in DNR orders are raised. The family at this time still hasn’t decided about hospice care measures due the son not being ready. The son discusses with the nurse that his father does not want to be revived, but wants to keep his father alive. The nurse becomes very conflicted because she knows that this is not what Mark would have wanted. So, what should the nurse do?
Data and Identification of Conflicting Moral Claims The ethical dilemma in this story is that Mark’s wishes of not being resuscitated is not being followed, because his son does not …show more content…
I think originally the nurse should have had the care team step in right away so that it wouldn’t become the son vs the nurse. I think by having the physician express that Mark really will be suffering if he is kept alive will help sway the son in his decision. I also think that the situation was addressed correctly as the nurse identified the son’s stance was morally different from hers and knew that she needed the input of others to help decide what is best for Mark. In the end, the son appreciated all the information provided to him and has made the decision to make his father a