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Should We Withhold Life Support?
Capella University
PHI-FPX3200
Should We Withhold Life Support?
As patients age and live with their respected disease processes, there is a natural
progression to begin pondering end of life decisions. This can be a difficult subject between
families, friends, and loved ones. As healthcare providers, there are certain scenarios that can
make these decisions feel difficult to navigate. There is a responsibility to educate patients about
their choices, provide the proper documentation to help keep their wishes known, and carry out
end of life care as the patient wishes. This paper will discuss the case of Mr. Martinez. It will
discuss Mr.Martinez’s quality of life and stated preferences. Further discussion will go into the
moral issues and ethical principals that should go into making an ethical decision in his case. The
paper will conclude with considerations such as implications, justifications, and any conflicts of
interest that might arise because of the patient's condition.
Mr. Martinez & His Directives
, An advanced directive is a legal document that states a patient's wishes for care should
they become unable to communicate their needs directly (Advance Care Planning: Advance
Directives for Health Care, 2022). Though it is a legal document, it is not legally binding. The
care team acts in accordance to advanced directives as closely as possible, but there are scenarios
that may arise that are more complex than what is listed in these directives. In such a case, the
care team makes a decision that aligns with best conciounce, best practice, or policy (Advance
Care Planning: Advance Directives for Health Care, 2022).
In the case presented, Mr. Martinez is a seventy five year old man who is living with a
chronic lung disease known as COPD. He is admitted to the hospital with a respiratory infection.
Mr. Martinez and his wife have made it known to staff that he would like a do not resuscitate
(DNR) order in place and that he does not want CPR to be administered if that situation were to
Should We Withhold Life Support?
Capella University
PHI-FPX3200
Should We Withhold Life Support?
As patients age and live with their respected disease processes, there is a natural
progression to begin pondering end of life decisions. This can be a difficult subject between
families, friends, and loved ones. As healthcare providers, there are certain scenarios that can
make these decisions feel difficult to navigate. There is a responsibility to educate patients about
their choices, provide the proper documentation to help keep their wishes known, and carry out
end of life care as the patient wishes. This paper will discuss the case of Mr. Martinez. It will
discuss Mr.Martinez’s quality of life and stated preferences. Further discussion will go into the
moral issues and ethical principals that should go into making an ethical decision in his case. The
paper will conclude with considerations such as implications, justifications, and any conflicts of
interest that might arise because of the patient's condition.
Mr. Martinez & His Directives
, An advanced directive is a legal document that states a patient's wishes for care should
they become unable to communicate their needs directly (Advance Care Planning: Advance
Directives for Health Care, 2022). Though it is a legal document, it is not legally binding. The
care team acts in accordance to advanced directives as closely as possible, but there are scenarios
that may arise that are more complex than what is listed in these directives. In such a case, the
care team makes a decision that aligns with best conciounce, best practice, or policy (Advance
Care Planning: Advance Directives for Health Care, 2022).
In the case presented, Mr. Martinez is a seventy five year old man who is living with a
chronic lung disease known as COPD. He is admitted to the hospital with a respiratory infection.
Mr. Martinez and his wife have made it known to staff that he would like a do not resuscitate
(DNR) order in place and that he does not want CPR to be administered if that situation were to
