Autonomy

Autonomy means “self rule,” and it is a patient’s most basic right.  It is the responsibility of all health care providers to respect the automony of the patients they treat.  Sometimes, this can be difficult because it can conflict with the health care provider’s ethical and moral compass.  Moreover, as health care professionals we are focused on improving a patient’s health and saving lives.

HOW WOULD YOU SOLVE THE ETHICAL ISSUES ON THE BELOW CASE? – WRITE 4-5 PAGES ANALYSIS OF HOW YOU WOULD ADDRESS THE ETHICAL CHALLENGES RAISED IN THE CASE. Please provide a cited works page not included in the 5 pages.

Case Scenario:

Ms. Glitter goes to the emergency department (“ED”) complaining of severe stomach pain. After physical examination, a CT of the abdomen shows an abdominal aortic aneurysm.  This is a weakening of the wall of the aorta which causes it to stretch and bulge.  The wall of the aorta weakens as a result of the stretching and can create a situation where if the wall of the aorta ruptures, death will ensue within a matter of minutes.  The ED physicians inform her that the only way to fix the aneurysm is via a surgical approach and that the chances of survival are about 50/50. They also inform her that in making a decision about whether to undergo the surgery, time is of the essence because of the risk of rupture and imminent death.

The woman is an exotic dancer; she worries that the surgery will leave a scar on her abdomen that will negatively affect her work.  As such, she refuses surgical treatment. Even after much pressuring from the physicians, she adamantly refuses surgery. Feeling that the woman is not in her correct state of mind and knowing that time is of the essence, the surgeons decide to perform the procedure without consent. They anesthetize her and surgically repair the aneurysm. She survives, and sues the hospital for millions of dollars.