Presenting Ethical Dilemma Paper

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Failure to Diagnose Phillosophy 200, Healthcare Ethics and the Law February 3, 2011 Presenting Ethical Dilemma A Physician Assistant requests an Ethics Committee to help decide if a patient should be told that his terminal lung cancer was discovered two years ago, but not followed up for treatment. Medical Indications A 30 year old man was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. He is married with four children and was just told of his prognosis last week. The patient is competent and is able to make sound decisions. Two years prior, a routine x-ray shows that there was an 8mm spot (Stage 1) where the current tumor is now. The patient’s chart shows that there was direction for follow-up treatment, but no action was taken. This was…show more content…
There is debate on whether he would want to know about the initial discovery of the tumor. His wife cannot be asked about his preference to be told. The patient has not documented any religious affiliation and there are no cultural factors to be considered. There patient has not prepared an Advanced Directive. Quality of Life The nurse thinks that the patient should not be told as the burden of finding out this information could be detrimental to his remaining quality of life. He may lose his ability to live. There is no aggressive treatment involved but the patient may undergo chemo and radiation. As mentioned to the patient, this treatment could prolong his life for 6 to 9 months. The benefits of chemotherapy are that it can help to reduce pain and other problems caused by lung cancer. There are no DNR/DNI orders to be considered. The Physician Assistant believes that the patient should be notified but is not sure how the news will affect his wife and children. A utilitarian viewpoint may be used to sanction unfairness and the violation of the patient’s rights in order to sustain his happiness. The patient’s autonomy was in violation because he was not informed and has risked making a healthcare choice not reflective of his values or wishes. Contextual

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