Reference no: EM133957416

Question

In discussing each scenario, it is useful to name the ethical issues, identify potential actions in the situation, and discuss the principles that would guide decisions in each case.

Case study 1

A new graduate nurse, Sarah, begins work in the Emergency Room and develops a good relationship with her preceptor/mentor Joe, an ER nurse for over 20 years. One day as Sarah and Joe are leaving the hospital after a difficult shift, Sarah confides that she was relieved, as an elderly patient with cancer was admitted by ambulance today. The patient had metastatic cancer and near death but that because he had an advance directive they did not attempt resuscitation. Her mentor, Joe, tells her that he "doesn't believe in that DNR crap" and that as an ER nurse he intends to make everyone a full code. He says that if somebody else, "lets them die" later, that's OK, but he is an ER nurse, 'not a hospice nurse' and will do what he's trained to do." What should the nurse do?

Case study 2

Mrs. Smith is a 78-year-old woman who was admitted six days ago to a medical-surgical unit with a CVA and has experienced severe neurological deficits and a MI. Her daughter, who is her Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care has provided a copy of Mrs. Smiths's advance directive indicating that she requests DNR. It is 9 pm and Mrs. Smith's daughter has gone home for the evening when her son arrives from out of state. The son approaches the nurse and says, "I don't know what my idiot sister is thinking. You better get my mother to the ICU and turn this mess around. My mother has a lot of years left and by God I'm not going to stand here and let her die." How do you respond?