The critical care unit of your local hospital calls you for ethical consultation. They have admitted 53-year-old JoEllen after she overdosed on prescription medications taken with alcohol. On admission, she tries to speak but soon becomes uncommunicative. As her condition deteriorates rapidly, her son arrives with a notarized advance directive in which JoEllen has specifically asked not to be placed on life support. People are looking to you for guidance. What ethical recommendation will you make to the attending health professionals?
Explain the ethical issues in the scenario involving JoEllen.
Apply the three traditional theories of normative ethics to this situation.
Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the three theories as they relate to this situation.
Apply ethical theory to justify your stance on the right thing to do in this situation.
Communicate in manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for professional communities.
Sample Solution