What are the key ethical principles

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Reference no: EM133839446

Case: Mr. B. is a 21-year-old, African-American male who has been treated over the last year at your hospital for metastatic lung cancer. Mr. B. had lived at home with his mother, but a few months ago against his mother's wishes, he married his long time 17-year-old girlfriend who is the mother of his 2-year-old son. Mr. B's mother does not get along with his wife. The couple have a small apartment and his wife has been trying to keep working nights as a nurses' aide to support them. Mr. B has applied for disability, because the family does not have any regular income and it is unlikely that Mr. B. will ever be able to work again

Unfortunately, after Mr. B's first course of chemotherapy he became septic and nearly died in the intensive care unit (ICU). The cancer has progressed, despite multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Mr. B has been in the hospital for the past two months and his condition has not improved.

Mr. B has been evaluated for a lung transplant & other aggressive cancer treatments. Mr. B has steadfastly refused, stating, "I do not want my family to lose everything because the treatments are probably not going to improve my condition or prognosis."

You are Mr. B's nurse and he confided that he was feeling pressured by his mother to have the transplant surgery. Mr. B shares with you, "It's really hard to say 'No' to her because my Mom has already contacted a lawyer and threatens to sue the Drs. and hospital if the treatments my Mom wants me to have are not provided for me even though I do not want treatment. My wife cannot stand up to her, so I guess I'll end up having the transplant and other aggressive therapies even though I do not want to have any of that." The nurse shared Mr. B's wishes with the oncology team of Drs. Mr. B and his wife agreed that no transplant or other aggressive treatments were to be done. Mr. B's Drs. decided to do what the mother wanted because she threatened to sue.

Discussion Questions

Question 1. What are the key ethical principles that were violated in this dilemma? Give a rationale for your choices. Get instant homework help from top tutors!

Question 2. Does this ethical dilemma meet the criteria for negligence and/or malpractice? Why or why not?

Reference no: EM133839446

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