Ethel Smith is a 84 year old retired accountant who fell and broke her hip.

The Case Study Analysis should be five to six pages, excluding the title page and reference page, and double-spaced.  Use headings for each section of the paper. Your paper should follow APA format and include a Title Page and a reference page.  Submit your paper in the appropriate assignment area by Sunday of this week.  See the Grading Criteria below.  I realize that you would like more information in the case, however, you are free to make some assumptions as needed.

Analyze the following case using the .

Ethel Smith is a 84 year old retired accountant who fell and broke her hip.  Ethel's husband died 4 years ago and she has 2 children and 5 grandchildren.  She had surgery for a replacement hip and then was sent to a rehabilitation hospital where she had a left-sided cerebrovascular accident (CVA).  She was completely paralyzed on her left side.  She was sent back to the acute care facility for aggressive treatment.  After the second day Ethel told the nurse she did not want any more therapy and that she did not want to continue to live if she could not walk or care for herself.  Her family and her doctor encouraged her to continue therapy and assured her she might make a full recovery.  However, they ignored her continued requests to discontinue all medications and therapy.  Ethel now refuses all medications, will not take part in therapy sessions and will not even participate in caring for herself.  When the family visited her today the staff said Ethel is now refusing to eat.  The family is very upset and asks you what they should do. How would you, the nurse, address this situation?

Guido, G. W. (2006). Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing. New Jersey: Prentice Hall

You should thoroughly discuss the information appropriate to each category. Use these Headings for your Paper:

1. FACTS AND ASSUMPTIONS

Identify the morally relevant facts of the case. This is a very important first step because in many cases the facts of the situation may reveal an obvious solution and, there may not be an ethical dilemma.  You should also identify morally relevant assumptions you are making, and perhaps, if important, identify unjustified assumptions people might mistakenly make. But do not confuse what you know with what you assume.                 

2. PEOPLE AND LOYALTIES

Who will be affected by this decision? Indicate who will be more and less affected. Also, indicate where your loyalties lie. To whose interests do you give priority in making your ethical decisions?  Think about all possible people affected by the decision, not just the immediate family.

3. ETHICAL PRINCIPLES AND ETHICAL THEORIES

Indicate the primary ethical principles at stake, and what ethical tools you will be bringing to bear. For example, it is very common to list principles like AUTONOMY, JUSTICE, AND QUALITY OF LIFE. An ethical dilemma is a conflict between ethical principles. Identify the conflicting ethical principles  If there is a dilemma, a conflict between principles, indicate that. For example, there are many cases in which autonomy conflicts with justice or beneficence. Don’t just list these randomly. Think about which principles are most relevant to your decision.

Also, identify and discuss what ethical theory or approach you think is most helpful here. Does the Deontology theory relate to this dilemma?  Or Virtue Ethics?  You might wish to say that this is a case where utilitarianism or the ethic of care seems most helpful. That is, you may conclude that the most helpful thing to do is ask about what the patient’s needs are, who can help, what the competing needs are, what relationships are most vital to nurture, etc. Or, possibly, you might feel that utilitarian thinking will be helpful.

4. PERSONAL VALUES

This is somewhat different from number 3, though they may overlap. First, what are the personal values of the patient, and other people directly affected? For example, does the patient hold as a very strong value the need to be independent, to be able to take care of herself? Or, does she have religious reasons for not wanting to continue living?

Second, what are your personal values as the decider? What might there be in your own life experience and values that will affect your decision (for good or ill)? It may be important to recognize difficulties as well as positive values.

5.  ALTERATIVE SOLUTIONS

Identify alternative solutions to the situation.  Discuss all possible options even if they do not seem plausible. The ability to "brainstorm" about alternative choices many times will help identify an option not previously considered.  Discuss alternative views of the problem to show that you understand competing arguments. Ask yourself what reasons might be given by thoughtful and informed people who disagree with you. You should be able to state them to the satisfaction of a person who holds that view

6. SOLUTION: 

Suggested solution to the ethical dilemma. Indicate your suggested solution, perhaps as a proposal you might make to a supervisor or ethics committee. Explain the reasons why you choose the position you do.

Case Study Grading Criteria

Facts and Assumptions Has thoroughly identified the known facts and clarified personal assumptions as well as general assumptions.	10 points
People and Loyalties Identified all people involved in this case even if they may have a minor role.  Identified personal loyalties and why.  Discussed how they affect the situation.	10 points
Ethical Issues and Principles Clearly identified the primary ethical principles involved in the case, what are the two main ethical principles in conflict, and why there is an ethical dilemma.  Is there actually an ethical dilemma? Discussed  an ethical theory(s) that would apply to the case and how it would guide decision making.	30 points
Personal Values Thoroughly identified and discussed both the client's personal values and your personal values.  How will they influence - positive or negatively - the outcomes.	10 points
Alternative Solutions Discussed 3-5 possible solutions to the situation.  Identified alternative views of the solutions.	20 points
Solution Thoroughly discussed a solution and why the proposed solution would result in the best outcome.	10 points
Writing style, punctuation, sentence structure, APA format, correct use of headings.	10 points
Total Points	100 points

• • Assignment status: Resolved by our Writing Team
  • 
    
  CLICK HERE TO ORDER THIS PAPER AT PrimeWritersBay.com
  GET THIS PAPER COMPLETED FOR YOU FROM THE WRITING EXPERTS 


NO PLAGIARISM