ETHICS IN HEALTHCARE CASE SCENARIOS

Case #1:
During a visit to her family physician, a 35-year-old woman discloses that she suffers from anorexia
nervosa. She complains of fatigue, dizziness, depression, headaches, irregular menses, and environmental
allergies. Each day, she uses 15 to 60 laxatives, exercises for several hours, and eats a salad or half a
sandwich. At 5'2", she weighs 88 pounds. She demonstrates a good understanding of the diagnosis and the
recommended therapy for anorexia. Despite receiving a variety of resource information, the patient refuses any
medical intervention. She continues to present to the family physician, offering a variety of somatic complaints.

When a patient's preferences conflict with a physician's goal to restore health, which ethical principle
should prevail, patient autonomy or physician beneficence? Does the patient's depression render her
incompetent to refuse treatment for her anorexia?

Discussion:
Since this patient could rationally discuss her treatment options and her reasons for declining therapy,
she could not be considered incompetent. Respect for autonomy is a central principle of bioethics, and it takes
precedence in this case. Although the principle of beneficence could be used to argue for coercion towards
treatment, compliance may be better improved by providing an ongoing partnership with the patient.
Maintaining a therapeutic relationship with ongoing dialogue is more likely to provide this patient with the
eventual ability to pursue therapy.

Case #2:
A nurse informs the patient's health care provider that the patient is refusing potentially life saving
surgery. In this situation, which ethical principle is the nurse using?

Discussion:
Using the principle of autonomy allows individuals to have the right to determine their own actions and
make their own choices. Calling the health care provider to report the patient's refusal of surgery demonstrates
the nurse's use of autonomy to guide practice.

Case #3:
A nurse is providing care to a client with end-stage cancer. After weighing the alternatives, the client
decides not to participate in a clinical trial offered and is requesting no further treatment. The nurse advocates
for the client's decision based on the understanding that the client has the right to self-determination,
interpreting the client's decision as reflecting which ethical principle?

Case #4:
A person has been confined to the hospital and has undergone several tests. Once the results came,
the doctor explained them to the patient and suggested the best option for treatment. The patient requested
that she would give her decision after a day to think about it. When the nurse cam later on to check her vital
signs, she asked some questions to the nurse. She asked what other possible treatments can she choose and
fortunately, the nurse is knowledgeable about this and ready about her response since the doctor also gave
her some instructions and notes earlier. The nurse explained each procedure and their pros and cons. After a
day, the patient made her own decision based on her own judgement and liking.

Case #5:
A nurse is caring for a client who decides not to have surgery despite significant blockages in his
coronary arteries. The nurse understands that this client's choice is an example of autonomy.

Case #5:
Dr. Paine tells you to hurry up and give the shot. “To hell with what the patient has to say about it. I
graduated from Harvard ferchristsake." The patient has no idea what you are administering, or why. You
choose to disobey Dr. Paine. This is an issue of autonomy.

Sources:
https://quizlet.com/556327892/uw-ethics-in-medicine-case-study-scenarios-flash-cards/
https://quizlet.com/409089514/chapter-6-flash-cards/