Ethics in Nursing Scenario 3 To Feed or Not to Feed Mrs G is

Ethics in Nursing- Scenario #3 To Feed or Not to Feed? Mrs. G is a 84 y/o female admitted to the ICU at the county hospital where you work as the nurse manager. Mrs. G suffered a massive stroke rendering her to be vent-dependent and unconscious. Prior to the massive stroke, Mrs. G was an active older adult, involved in the community and her church. Through the course of three weeks, Mrs. G was weaned off the vent, and had a G-tube placement in preparation for Jevity enteric feeding. She is able to breathe on her own but non-verbal, is not able to follow simple commands but able to track and smile at times, especially when her husband shows up to visit. Her husband, Mr. G is generally is physically very weak and experiencing extreme grief, over his wife’s post-stroke condition. A month later, Mrs. G’s condition has not changed and is now being transferred to a long term facility. Mr. G refuses and requested that the hospital staff make her a DNR and stop all nutrition and hydration. Mr. G stated that his wife wouldn’t want to live like this. The medical, nursing, and social work staff have not previously experienced a situation quite like the one that is occurring with the G family. Questions for discussion What ethical principles are important in this case? How would you use ethical theories to assist you to make a decision? What should be done in this situation? What helped you to decide?

Solution

Ethical principles that are important in this case are least harm and respect for autonomy.

Since none of the choice is more beneficial than the other therefore, the principle of least harm is important. Mrs. G is dependent on those around her for her day to day simple tasks including eating. She was an independent woman even at the age of 84 which means that she liked being independent and active and would probably won\'t want such a life for herself. If responsibility is there to do least harm than in both the cases it is the same for her.

Respect for autonomy is the principle that allows for the individuals involved to make an autonomous decision about their lives as it will ultimately affect them. The individual should have control over their life and their emotions and physical capabilities are best known to them.

In this situation the hospital staff should agree with Mr. G as he is physically very weak and knows that he cannot take proper care of Mrs. G. He does not want to go through the emotional turmoil of seeing his lively and active wife in such a vegetative condition. Thus, a DNR should be made as per his request and all the nutrition and hydration should be stopped.

The above mentioned two principles were taken into consideration and helped me decide.