Question

A competent patient who is in labor (about to give birth to a baby) is given an epidural (numbing medication given via the spinal column, to reduce pain or feeling in the patient's body during birth or surgery) by her attending obstetrician.

The patient has a "labor plan" she created in her obstetric charts (which the physician has read). The plan clearly states the mother-to-be's desire that she be given "noepidural unless emergency Caesarian section (surgically opening the abdomen to remove the infant without the infant needing to go through the vaginal canal) is needed." Emergency surgery (such as a Caesarian section) is notneeded as the birth is going well; the mother is not in pain, and the infant is in no distress, at the time when the epidural is given. Moreover, there seems to be no reason to think the surgery might be needed during the rest of labor, which looks to be ending shortly.

Which of the following theories and principles has the physician violated ? [Choose all that apply; there may be more than one correct answer]

The Principle of Autonomy

Kantianism

The right to bodily integrity

The principle of beneficence

Answer 1

Answer

The Principle of Autonomy

The right to bodily integrity

• Physician has administered epidural anaesthesia even though patient had labour plan stating no epidural unless emergency caesarean section or emergency surgery.
• Emergency surgery is not needed as the birth is going well; the mother is not in pain, and the infant is in no distress, at the time when the epidural is given.

These are the below two theories and principles are violated by the physicians are:

The principles of Autonomy

• Patient has all the rights to make decisions about their medical care without their health care provider to influence the decision.
• Patient autonomy allow for health care professional to educate the patient but do not allow the health care provider to make the decision on behalf for the patient.

The right to bodily integrity

• Every human being as all the rights, including children, towards autonomy and self-determination over their own body
• Physical intrusion of the client without the consents is considered as a human rights violation.