The Principles of Beneficence and Non-maleficence
What is the patient’s medical problem? Is the problem acute? Chronic? Critical?
Reversible?
... [Show More] Emergent? Terminal? The patient is presenting with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease and adult-onset diabetes mellitus. Her condition is critical because she
has sustained a heart attack.
Using this course of action, describe, in full sentences, necessary considerations via
1. beneficence Healthcare professionals are to do good by demonstrating kindness,
showing compassion and helping their patients but if they follow Bashir’s requests,
they are not helping Jamilah.
2. non-maleficence Healthcare professionals are to avoid causing harm to the patient. If
they follow Bashir’s orders, they will be withholding care from Jamiliah which could
end to her death.
3. autonomy Patient’s have a right to make their own decisions regarding their health.
By following Bashir’s wishes, the doctor’s are ignoring Jamilah’s autonomy.
In what circumstances are medical treatments not indicated? Jamilah has been evaluated
by a cardiologist and medical treatments have been indicated to help her.
What are the probabilities of success of various treatment options? Jamilah’s age does
present additional potential issues surgeons may encounter during such procedures
though. But if nothing is done like Bashir wishes, then his mother is likely to die in a few
days.
In sum, how can this patient be benefited by medical and nursing care, and how can harm
be avoided? If no treatment is given to Jamilah, she is likely to die in a few days. Bashir
has said he only wants comfort care given to his mother. Harm could be avoided by not
listening to Bashir and going ahead with the recommended procedures from the
consulting cardiologist.
PATIENT PREFERENCES
Has the patient been informed of benefits and risks, understood this information, and
given consent? Patient has stated to the social worker she wants to live. It is not clear if
the patient has been informed of benefits and risks or understands, but stating she wants
to live is consent for treatment.
Is the patient mentally capable and legally competent, and is there evidence of
incapacity? There is not evidence of incapacity. There is a language barrier.
If mentally capable, what preferences about treatment is the patient stating? Jamilah has
stated she wants to live.
If incapacitated, has the patient expressed prior preferences? [Show Less]