Ethics homework help

Nurses General Nursing

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Hey y'all- I have some quick questions that hopefully won't be too hard!

It concerns two ethical guidelines regarding pt autonomy and surrogate decision making, plus my teacher would like examples for each situation.

Here are the questions and what I wrote:

Whose personal values and goals are influential?

Substituted Judgment: The patient's personal values are influential because the surrogate's decision is based on the patient's values, morals, and wishes. The health care team may want to save the patient's life, but if the patient did not want that, then the surrogate must make that known to them.

Best Interest:

The surrogate's values are influential because the decision rests upon them to "promote the patient's good" (p. 204). S/He takes in all the facts, information, and recommendations and use their own standards, morals, or values to come to a decision.

Give a brief example of a situation under which each method could be applied

Substituted Judgment

Mr. Jones is in an accident at work and trauma to his head causes him to be in a coma. He needs surgery to live, but there is a high probability he will be paralyzed. The patient's wife must come to a decision based on what he would have wanted: can he live, being paralyzed, or would he rather just die?

Best Interest:

Mr. Jones is in a car accident, and only his neighbor, a Jehovah Witness, is around to help. The patient needs a blood transfusion. Normally, his neighbor would deny this treatment, but he knows that Mr. Jones is not a Jehovah Witness. Would this neighbor still refuse the blood transfusion "to save his soul" or would he accept it in the best interest of Mr. Jones' physical salvation?

Did I read the first question right? And are those good examples? Thanks for any help!:specs:

BlueRidgeHomeRN

829 Posts

Specializes in Home Care, Hospice, OB.

mr. jones is in a car accident, and only his neighbor, a jehovah witness, is around to help.

good thought, bad example..neighbor wouldn't be involved in this decision. if not yet turned in, i'd change it to an adult child with dpoa who is the jw, just to keep it "real world".:idea:

Delirium, RN

43 Posts

Specializes in Oncology, Cardiac.

No, I haven't turned it in yet... lol!

Thanks! I'll change it now....

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