[Sunkist]

How are you

I am a year 1 nursing student and was reading a book one day with a question like this and could not figure out the solution. could someone please help?

an 18 yr old girl admitted to a respiratory ward looking tired and withdrawn and is having difficult breathing. she tells you she does not want to live anymore and refuses to take her medication. She also tells you that she was present when her mother died of asthma at 30 yrs of age and with her 50 yr old grandmother when she died of lung cancer.

what are the ethical issue about this topic? and How should a nurse proceed taking into consideration the principles that guide ethical decision-making?

thanks
Sunkist

[spring1978uk]

Well, I'm not even a student, I'm just considering taking nursing at the moment, but I guess you should prolly listen to the patient the same way you would if they were telling you that a medication was making them sick or something. But on the other hand I dont think that anybody really wants to die, they just might not want to live like they must.

[cassioo]

Originally Posted by Sunkist

what are the ethical issue about this topic? and How should a nurse proceed taking into consideration the principles that guide ethical decision-making?

thanks
Sunkist

is this person of sound mind and capable of making decisions? have you gotten enough history about her physical as well as mental state? history of depression, What are you going to do about what she wants? Are you going to force something on her. If she's refused treatment WHY did she come to the hospital looking for treatment? Is she suicidal and does she have a plan for that if she is. Is there any other family? Did she just have a fight with a boyfriend? There's more going on that needs assessed first. If she's terminal and wants to die is she just there for pain management?