Question

You are called to consult in the Critical Care Unit of your local hospital. 53-year-old JoEllen was admitted after taking an overdose of prescription medications with alcohol. On admission, she said, "Not supposed to be here . . . ," but soon became uncommunicative, and her condition is deteriorating rapidly. Her son has arrived with a notarized advance directive in which JoEllen specifically asks not to be placed on life support.

What features of the situation are relevant for making a moral decision?

Answer 1

What features of the situation are relevant for making a moral decision?

Her son has arrived with a notarized advance directive in which JoEllen specifically asks not to be placed on life support. In this case, there is an advanced directive that states that the patient should not be placed on on life support. In this case, it appears that The patient has either taken an overdose of her prescription medicines along with alcohol, in an attempt to suicide. Though, it is evident that since there is an advance directive, the nurse could not provide a life support system, legally.

Morally, though the nurse morally understands that the situation is not plain simple. If it is a case of an attempted suicide, the nurse should be trying to save the patient, but the directive prevents her from doing so. Even if morally the nurse would want to put the patient on life support, legally she cannot.