Battochio
Part 1:!
1. I believe what should be done for Janet and her parents is to continue the wishes that Janet
wanted for herself in this situation, which was to allow for her parents to make these difficult
decisions for her. If after thinking over the situation the parents decide that Janet should
continue life support in order to give birth, then that’s the decision they should be legally
allowed to make on their own. I base this on the grounds that Janet, fully knowledgable on
what this entails, trusted her parents judgement by naming them power of attorney to make
these decisions for her if she is unable to.!
2. I think that the underlying value of this statue is that a human fetus has moral and legal
rights.!
3. I disagree with this statue because Janet completely understood what it meant to assign her
parents as secondary agents and made clear in her legal documents on how to proceed while
she was still alive and coherent.!
4. I would carryon with Janet’s wishes based on her being well informed about end of life care
and stating very clearly that she did not want extended life support.!
5. I don’t believe that the decision to have a surrogate for Janet’s fetus should be left to anyone
but the grandparents, or whoever that Janet had named to be the legal power of attorney over
her.!
Part 2:!
#There are many different issues surrounding assisted suicide in the few states that it is
legal to do so, one of them being not allowing nurses to discuss end-of-life options with their
patients. A nurse acts as the primary caregiver, and advocates for the health and wellbeing of
their patient. Sometimes nurses will even provide support and advice to patients. It is common
for patients to feel comfortable and close with their nurse, who has had close contact with
them and knows their circumstance well. It is expected that when looking for information, a
patient will want to ask their nurse first. !
#The topic of end-of-life options is a serious one and should be spoken about with the
ones you love and trust most. It is not a topic of conversation that would make you feel
comfortable having with someone who does not know you well or is a stranger. Therefore, a
nurse should not be forbidden to be apart of this process, that weighs very heavily on those
who are considering it, based on “The Rights Approach”. !
#“The Rights Approach” states that human beings are able to choose freely what they’d
like for their lives and have a moral and legal right to have those choices respected. A patient
has every right to be able to ask questions to their nurse and to be given the truth. Just to elicit
information, should not be something that is forbidden between a nurse and the patient.
Another issue is that not only is the nurse prohibited in being the one to give information to the
patient, but they are also not allowed to be in the room and witness when the patient is ready
to end their life. !
#The process of assisted-suicide is tough and not taken lightly. Nurses sometimes wish
to be able to support the patient and the patients loved ones. Being able to be in the room
when the patient is ending their life, not only gives comfort to the patient, but the patients
family members as well. A nurse is there to provide consolation and answer any questions.
Family members want to be able to have some one knowledgable in the room in order to be
offered support throughout the process. Also, when a nurse is present they are helpful in
managing any discomfort or pain a patient may have before taking the medication. !
Battochio
#It often happens that a patient will start to get anxiety, or experience constipation,
nausea, or even shortness of breath. Someone that is short of breath, may fear swallowing the
medication will cause them to choke. The pressure is taken off the family if a nurse is present
and able to provide reassurance to make sure everything is going right. The stress is also
relieved off of the family if their loved one makes an unfamiliar noise or unexpected movement.
Other times family members will want to be given updates on what to expect after their loved
one has taken the medication, or have concerns when their loved one’s breathing begins to
slow and the color from their face starts to drain. !
#These are all legitimate concerns as to why a nurse should be involved in the process
from start to finish, especially if it is the request from the patient themselves. Of course, if a
nurse does not want to take part, whether for moral or religious reasons, that should be
respected as well but it is a decision that should be given to the nurse and not have it be
forbidden as part of their job role. This is a right to the patient that should be respected and a
choice they should be able to make for themselves and their family.!
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