Ethical Paper

The case study involving Mr. E and Dr. K raises some significant morale and ethical issues not to mention some legal ones. Mr. E was sent to the Emergency Room by the Nursing Home he resided because of lung congestion. Dr. K. assessed Mr. E. and determines that Mr. E. is suffering from pneumonia secondary to aspiration. Dr. K. determines Mr. E. needs to be placed on a ventilator and admitted into the intensive care. Mr. E. expresses his displeasure with this intervention. He tells Dr. K. to “ Go away! No! No! Take me home”. Dr. K. decides that due to Mr. E.’s delayed development and hypoxia, he does not understand the situation. After investigating Mr. E.’s past history it was noted that Mr. E. signed an advance directive seven years ago stating that he did not want a ventilator or cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It was unclear if any family was involved in the signing of the advanced directive or if any family even know about it. Mr. E. did sign a medical power of attorney allowing his younger brother to make medical decisions for him in the event he is no longer able to do so. Dr. K. wants his brother, Mr. Y., to be contacted and persuaded to make the decision to place Mr. E. on the ventilator. This action raises ethical concerns. According to the ANA, American Nurses Association Code of Ethics section 3.5 Acting on Questionable Practices “The nurse’s primary commitment is to the health, well-being and safety of the patient across the life span and in all settings in which health care needs are addressed. As an advocate for the patient, the nurse must be alert to and take appropriate action regarding any instances of incompetent, unethical, illegal or impaired practice by any member of the health care team”. I feel that by trying to persuade the brother to make a decision that is against the patients will knowing that an advance directive was signed while the patient was of sound mind falls into the unethical section of the code of ethics. When Dr....