HLT 305
Topic 5: Approaches to Moral Reasoning and Ethical Decision-
Making
Assignment: Ethical Decisions in Health Care
Grand Canyon University
Description:
Your health care team is presented with the following case:
A 6-year-old develops a high fever accompanied by violent vomiting and
convulsions while at school. The child is rushed to a nearby hospital. The attending
physician makes a diagnosis of meningitis and requests permission from the
parents to initiate treatment. Both parents are Christian Scientists, and they insist
that no medical treatment be given to the child. The physician initiates treatment
anyway, and the parents later sue the physician and the hospital.
In a formal, written paper of 1,250-1,500 words, provide the following:
1. Explain the ethical dilemma portrayed in this case and how Uustal's "Ethical
Decision-Making Model" can assist in navigating the situation.
2. Describe the perspectives, needs, and expectations of each of the following
health care stakeholders: (a) child, (b) parent, (c) physician, (d) health care
staff, (e) hospital, (f) administrator, and (g) attorney.
3. Summarize potentially conflicting values and principles that exist in this case
based upon ethical theories and principles you have learned in this course.
4. Assuming the role of the hospital administrator, provide a solution to resolve
the identified ethical dilemma in this case.
5. Include at least three scholarly, peer-reviewed references from the GCU
Library to support your positions.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide,
located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
2
Topic 5: Approaches to Moral Reasoning and Ethical Decision-
Making
Assignment: Ethical Decisions in Health Care
Grand Canyon University
Description:
Your health care team is presented with the following case:
A 6-year-old develops a high fever accompanied by violent vomiting and
convulsions while at school. The child is rushed to a nearby hospital. The attending
physician makes a diagnosis of meningitis and requests permission from the
parents to initiate treatment. Both parents are Christian Scientists, and they insist
that no medical treatment be given to the child. The physician initiates treatment
anyway, and the parents later sue the physician and the hospital.
In a formal, written paper of 1,250-1,500 words, provide the following:
1. Explain the ethical dilemma portrayed in this case and how Uustal's "Ethical
Decision-Making Model" can assist in navigating the situation.
2. Describe the perspectives, needs, and expectations of each of the following
health care stakeholders: (a) child, (b) parent, (c) physician, (d) health care
staff, (e) hospital, (f) administrator, and (g) attorney.
3. Summarize potentially conflicting values and principles that exist in this case
based upon ethical theories and principles you have learned in this course.
4. Assuming the role of the hospital administrator, provide a solution to resolve
the identified ethical dilemma in this case.
5. Include at least three scholarly, peer-reviewed references from the GCU
Library to support your positions.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide,
located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
2
