Mr. Mason is a 78-year-old retired, widowed ironworker. He has been estranged from his adult son, an only child, for many years. He was recently diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. He recognized that he needed to make some plans for his immediate future, so he contacted his son and allowed him power of attorney. Mr. Mason is admitted to your unit in severe pain. He is somewhat confused, and you are unable to elicit information from him about his wishes regarding life-sustaining measures. You carefully begin discussing this difficult subject with his son, as it is your hospital’s policy that everyone admitted to your oncology unit be informed about advanced directives.
Mr. Mason’s son begins to sob uncontrollably, saying, “I was never a good son. I left home when I was barely 19 and didn’t even write or call for many years. I am just getting to know my dad, and now this happens. I want as much time with him as possible. He told me a few days ago that he was ready to die and didn’t want to be kept alive on machines. But I need some more time with him. Please, do everything you can to keep him alive. I need for him to forgive me.”
Post: Answer the following questions in your post:
- What are the ethical principles involved in this scenario? What ethical principles are at play when considering the view of the son, when considering the view of the patient?
- Please respond using the ethical terms and principles reviewed in the textbook and interactive modules to support your points.
- What is the best decision to make based on ethical principles? In other words, what would you do and based on what ethical principles?
- Does your answer change when you consider your legal duties and responsibilities?
Note: Be sure to discuss how the advanced directive does or does not fit into the healthcare
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