Question

"The Terri Schiavo Case." Based on your analysis of the case, answer the following questions: What are the major ethical issues involved in the case? Do you agree or disagree with the outcome of the case? Why or why not? Who should be eligible to legally make healthcare decisions to save or end life in the absence of an advanced directive? Why or why not? What should be the considerations when making a decision to discontinue life support? How can the codes of ethics for physicians and nurses affect this case? After answering the above questions, read the following case on ethical issues.

Answer 1

The major ethical issues in Terri Schiavo’s cases are:

Autonomy: Terri Schiavo was in a persistent vegetative state and that she had made reliable oral declarations that she would have wanted the feeding tube removed.so primary guardian her husband wanted to remove her feeding tube but her parents was against removing feeding tube,this shows violation of autonomy,her parents didn’t respect her right.
Beneficence/ nonmaleficence- hard to tell if a vegetative patient is suffering, doctors should try to treat pain.
Justice- must look at costs and financial assistance.

I completely dont agree with the outcome of the case .Even its individual right we don’t have the right to take our own or others life as it is against religious value . But if we see her sufferings and state of living without any improvement for around15 years in a vegetative state its equal to be in a dead state, I agree with the outcome of the case.

In some places in absence of advance directive,the primary guardian has the right to take decisions like spouse,parents or child. In some cases the supervising healthcare provider selects the decision-maker after giving consideration to the patient’s spouse, adult child, etc. in some places if the decision are taken by the medical practioner to select the decicision maker. Furthermore a legal guardian can be appointed by court in some cases.

Whether there is chance of returning to the normal life, persons will if competent to give or his will or according to the decision maker who has rights or legally appointed,severity of the damage caused.

The Code of Ethics for Nurses specifically outlines the nurse's obligation to protect the patient's right to self-determination and the role of a designated surrogate in situations where the patient lacks capacity. In this case, Terri Schiavo's physicians, over many years, have declared her to be in a "persistent vegetative state." Furthermore, there is evidence that Terri Schiavo expressed her wishes not to have her life artificially maintained under such circumstances. ANA believes the Congress and the president have acted inappropriately in this case.