Medical Futility
STUDENT Worksheet
Mavis Anderson, 84 years old
Overview
This scenario highlights the ethical dilemma of medical futility when Mavis remains in ICU on a ventilator as a result of
respiratory failure. She also has dementia and terminal cancer. The family is unwilling to consider withdrawing life
support and one of the members is openly antagonistic and is not afraid to question and confront nurses about what he
thinks is best for his mother.
© 2015 Keith Rischer/www.KeithRN.com