Joe H, a 59 year-old male, has been diagnosed as having cancer. His condition is rapidly deteriorating. Joe H has requested that he not be resuscitated if he should go into cardiac arrest. He has also stated that he wishes no further treatment. Dr.W, who is Joe H's personal physician, and Dr.R, the oncologist in the case, agree that he should not be resuscitated, and “Do not resuscitate" is written on his chart. However, when Joe H begins to experience severe internal bleeding, he asks his physicians if they can do something. Whether Joe H is competent at this point is unclear. Dr. W does not want to take measure to stop the bleeding, in keeping with Joe H's original request for no further treatment. Dr. R sees the request "to do something" as taking precedence over the earlier request for no further treatment. If they do not act quickly to stop the internal bleeding, Joe H will die as a result of blood loss.
2006-07-18
15:12:42
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16 answers
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asked by
Randy E
1
in
Philosophy