Via a process to eliminate those “least fit” to serve as a health care surrogate, I would appoint Philippa to serve as Ms. Gorgonia Nazianzus’ (“GN”) health care surrogate. Furthermore, given the Neurologist’s positive prognosis for at least waking up, Philippa should immediately approve treatments to enable her mothers improved health.
The ultimate goal of the surrogate is to make decisions in the best interest of the patient; therefore, it is critical to examine the decision-making capabilities, including any known impairments that could affect these judgments. Gregor and GN, while legally bound in marriage, are separated which is an indication of a relationship that is not all-together harmonious. “Paul Ramsey argues that, for incompetent …show more content…
Furthermore, GN is also in a coma and therefore it is not a burdensome for her to experience treatment. “Many types of life-sustaining treatments are burdensome and invasive, so that the choice for the patient is not simply a choice between life and death” (AMA, 5). The text further explains this using an example of a patient dying of cancer and choosing between chemotherapy and having a prolonged life but also has results of being painful and nauseating (AMA 5). This also shows GN has a chance to heal from this painful fall she had when others do not have the option of regaining their strength even after treatment is used.
“The practical benefit of respecting patient’s choices is that decisions will maximize patients interest and well-being” (AMA, 6). Philippa should be appointed GN’s surrogate and begin treatment, which is in GN’s best interest. Upon hopefully waking up, GN’s mental capacity to make decisions on her own behalf should be assessed.
Work Cited
AMA, “Decisions Near the End of Life,” focus on pp. 4-6 on withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatment
Beauchamp & Childress, “Conditions for Overriding the Prima Facie Obligation to Treat”
Section 5: Surrogate Decision-Making - Washington State Hospital Association. (n.d.). Retrieved March 02, 2016, from
The ultimate goal of the surrogate is to make decisions in the best interest of the patient; therefore, it is critical to examine the decision-making capabilities, including any known impairments that could affect these judgments. Gregor and GN, while legally bound in marriage, are separated which is an indication of a relationship that is not all-together harmonious. “Paul Ramsey argues that, for incompetent …show more content…
Furthermore, GN is also in a coma and therefore it is not a burdensome for her to experience treatment. “Many types of life-sustaining treatments are burdensome and invasive, so that the choice for the patient is not simply a choice between life and death” (AMA, 5). The text further explains this using an example of a patient dying of cancer and choosing between chemotherapy and having a prolonged life but also has results of being painful and nauseating (AMA 5). This also shows GN has a chance to heal from this painful fall she had when others do not have the option of regaining their strength even after treatment is used.
“The practical benefit of respecting patient’s choices is that decisions will maximize patients interest and well-being” (AMA, 6). Philippa should be appointed GN’s surrogate and begin treatment, which is in GN’s best interest. Upon hopefully waking up, GN’s mental capacity to make decisions on her own behalf should be assessed.
Work Cited
AMA, “Decisions Near the End of Life,” focus on pp. 4-6 on withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatment
Beauchamp & Childress, “Conditions for Overriding the Prima Facie Obligation to Treat”
Section 5: Surrogate Decision-Making - Washington State Hospital Association. (n.d.). Retrieved March 02, 2016, from