ethics paper

Activity: Clinical Case on Death and Dying

Instructions- Read the clinical case on death and dying and write a 1-2-page report (11 point font) that utilizes the eight-step ethical process. While going through the eight steps, incorporate ethical principles taught in class - Autonomy, Beneficence, Duty, Role fidelity, Non- maleficence, Justice, Veracity.

Clinical Case: A woman suffers from cancer and has been placed in hospice with no possible chance of survival. The doctors have given her just a few weeks to survive. She is in terrible pain and has been getting doses of morphine to control the consistent torment. She is so weak that a large dose of Morphine would more than likely cause her death. During a temporary moment of improvement, the woman begs the clinician to give her enough morphine to end her life. She says she can no longer endure the pain and will be dead in a few weeks anyway.

The clinician complies with her wishes.

Eight-Step Process

· 1. What is the ethical question?

· 2. What is your “gut reaction”?

· 3. Do you have all of the relevant facts?

· 4. Who all is involved…do their values differ?

· 5. What could you do? Consider all options

· 6. What should you do? Why?

· 7. Consider alternatives. Are you sure?

· 8. Could this dilemma have been prevented? How?