Ethics in Nursing- Scenario
To Feed or Not to Feed?
Mrs. G is a 84 y/o female admitted to the ICU at the county hospital where you work as the nurse manager. Mrs. G suffered a massive stroke rendering her to be vent-dependent and unconscious. Prior to the massive stroke, Mrs. G was an active older adult, involved in the community and her church. Through the course of three weeks, Mrs. G was weaned off the vent, and had a G-tube placement in preparation for Jevity enteric feeding. She is able to breathe on her own but non-verbal, is not able to follow simple commands but able to track and smile at times, especially when her husband shows up to visit.
Her husband, Mr. G is generally is physically very weak and experiencing extreme grief, over his wife's post-stroke condition. A month later, Mrs. G's condition has not changed and is now being transferred to a long term facility. Mr. G refuses and requested that the hospital staff make her a DNR and stop all nutrition and hydration. Mr. G stated that his wife wouldn't want to live like this.
The medical, nursing, and social work staff have not previously experienced a situation quite like the one that is occurring with the G family.
Questions for discussion
- What ethical principles are important in this case?
- How would you use ethical theories to assist you to make a decision?
- What should be done in this situation?
- What helped you to decide?