Question

Kathy has been in a terrible car accident. She is unconscious, but physicians believe she will regain consciousness and may even completely recover her health. However, for now she is connected to a respirator, without which she would die today. Kathy has a living will stating that she never wants to be connected to a respirator under any circumstances. What must the hospital do? Why?

Select one:

a. Disconnect the respirator, because the living will says to do so

b. Continue to provide artificial respiration, because Kathy may regain consciousness

c. Continue to provide artificial respiration, because the hospital is not covered by the Patient Self Determination Act

d. Disconnect the respirator, because disconnection will save the hospital money

Answer 1

Correct option: (a) Disconnect the respirator, because the living will says to do so

Reason: As per the Patient self-determination act of 1990, an individual has complete right to make choices on how and what type of medical care they would like to accept or refuse in case they are not in a condition to make a decision.

In the given case, Kathy had already made a will which stated she would never be put on a respirator in case of any medical issue. This makes it valid enough for the hospital to respect her medical care choice and disconnect the respirator, as per her wishes.