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INDIVIDUAL CASE ANALYSIS Scribd

1. Alan underwent emergency heart surgery but developed complications including respiratory infection and sepsis that left him unconscious and dependent on a ventilator with a poor prognosis. 2. His condition deteriorated further with kidney failure requiring dialysis, but his family knew he would not want prolonged life and refused consent for additional treatment. 3. The family had to advocate for Alan's wishes when they noticed he was still receiving drugs and treatments against their refusal, but his nurse ultimately supported withdrawing treatment allowing Alan to die peacefully.

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191 views2 pages

INDIVIDUAL CASE ANALYSIS Scribd

1. Alan underwent emergency heart surgery but developed complications including respiratory infection and sepsis that left him unconscious and dependent on a ventilator with a poor prognosis. 2. His condition deteriorated further with kidney failure requiring dialysis, but his family knew he would not want prolonged life and refused consent for additional treatment. 3. The family had to advocate for Alan's wishes when they noticed he was still receiving drugs and treatments against their refusal, but his nurse ultimately supported withdrawing treatment allowing Alan to die peacefully.

Uploaded by

Anusha Verghese
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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INDIVIDUAL CASE ANALYSIS 1 :

Alan illness after undergoing an emergency heart surgery, has remained critical. The

complications of surgery have taken toll. He still unconscious and has developed respiratory

infection which requires him to be dependent on a mechanical ventilator. His prognosis is poor

owing to total body sepis,arrhythmia ,Hypertension and liver failure.

This case evolves to the point for discussion with the family members on his current plan of care.

As per the ethical and legal issues involved,the case scenario has not shown discussion about a

power of attorney for personal care for the client.

Also the second fact to point is that there is no advanced directive in place in regards to his plan

of care on his treatment options.

In addition ,informed consent and legal document signature from the primary family member is

not yet obtained in regards to end of life care.

In addition there has to be a interdisciplinary team discussion with the primary family member to

discuss on the prognosis and health status of the patient. Time is the need of the hour.

Now he is in kidney failure and requires dialysis. His family has been at the hospital since Alan’s

ordeal began. They have been allowed only short visits twice per shift. The nurse and doctor now

inform them of the kidney failure, and leave them alone to discuss whether they should consent

to dialysis. Alan’s family knows his prognosis is poor. They also know he would not wish his
life to be extended in this way. They believe he has suffered enough, and decide to refuse this

dialysis, knowing he will die. They request a meeting with the team to discuss their decision.

While visiting Alan a short while later, his wife notices that he is still receiving drugs to maintain

his blood pressure, as well as the antibiotics that so far have not improved his condition.

Further, the nurse informs her that because Alan’s potassium is elevated, he will be given

calcium polystyrene enemas in an attempt to bring it down. The family is distraught. Together,

they gather the courage to tell Alan’s nurse that they do not wish to subject him to these enemas

which, if effective in the short term, will only prolong his dying.

Further, they insist that the drugs be discontinued, and that they be allowed to remain with him

in privacy. Alan’s nurse supports the family’s position and communicates their wishes to the

physician on call. The family is permitted to stay with Alan until he dies peacefully a short time

later.

Questions:

1. How did this case evolve to the point where Alan’s family needed to advocate on his behalf?

2. How could this situation have been avoided? What process would have resulted in a better

outcome for everybody?

3. What rights did Alan and his family have? Were these rights respected?

4. Identify the contradictions in this story.

(Source: Keatings, M. & Smith, O. (2010). Ethical & Legal Issues in Canadian Nursing (3rd ed.)

Toronto: Elsevier.)

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