Help!! Critical Thinking Cultural Paper

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I was hoping I could get some guidance on an assignment I have for next week.

Basically the case goes like this....A woman from an asian country has cancer and doesn't speak english very well. The husband makes all her treatment decisions and does not permit the Dr. to tell his wife she has cancer. The Dr. goes with the husband's wishes but the nurse doesn't think it's right to give chemo to the woman because she's unaware she has cancer.

So, what to do in this situation?? My instinct tells me to respect the husbands wishes and administer the chemo.

One of the questions is what actions should you prepare to initiate in this situation? I have no clue.

Any ideas out there?

Thanks a bunch!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

My only problem is whether or not the woman is alert and oriented. I realize it's a cultural question and there's a language barrier, but can a husband legally make decisions for an alert and oriented wife? Perhaps in Asian countries he can. But to me it doesn't sounds like the patient is informed of her treatment plan and given choices.

My answer is the the JACHO answer and to consult the Ehtics Committee because for me it would be an ethical delimema.

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Putting ethics aside for the moment regarding translation and husband's wishes, I do not think this is LEGALLY o.k. if there is not INFORMED CONSENT for treatment by the patient his or herself if they are alert and oriented. This means that everything has been told to the patient, down to reason for therapy, possibly adverse effects and outcomes, etc. I would not initiate therapy under this situation. Steps could be taken to have a translator explain things to the patient, and for her to make a decision regarding therapy for herself.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
Putting ethics aside for the moment regarding translation and husband's wishes, I do not think this is LEGALLY o.k. if there is not INFORMED CONSENT for treatment by the patient his or herself if they are alert and oriented. This means that everything has been told to the patient, down to reason for therapy, possibly adverse effects and outcomes, etc. I would not initiate therapy under this situation. Steps could be taken to have a translator explain things to the patient, and for her to make a decision regarding therapy for herself.

Excellent answer, stn2003. This is an ethical as well as legal question regarding this patient. Hard to differentiate between the two sometimes, but, in this situation, both apply.

To the OP, you can contact A T and T or the like. They have interpreters for all the languages and the various dialects.

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Excellent answer, stn2003. This is an ethical as well as legal question regarding this patient. Hard to differentiate between the two sometimes, but, in this situation, both apply.

To the OP, you can contact A T and T or the like. They have interpreters for all the languages and the various dialects.

Good answers, thank you.....but what about giving the husband power of attorney or advance directives? Would those apply in this case? I also have to use critical thinking in this paper as well........thoughts?

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