Phil 380 Response Paper Assignment: Principles of Bioethics
Patient Choice vs. Patient Good
“Mrs. Wright, a fifty-five year old woman with advanced multiple sclerosis, was admitted to the chronic care unit of a hospital. As part of the admission routine, a full diet was ordered. At lunch time, Nurse Klein observed that Mrs. Wright was eating very slowly and appeared to have difficulty swallowing some of the foods on her dinner tray. Mrs. Wright explained that she needed to chew the food well in order to avoid choking. After staying with her until she finished her meal, Nurse Klein told Mrs. Wright that she was going to fill out a special diet requisition for a soft diet.
At dinner time when her food tray was presented, Mrs. Wright became very angry and upset. “I won’t eat this slop!” she asserted. “Bring me some real food that I can get my teeth into.” Nurse Klein patiently explained to her why it was best that she eat a soft diet and informed her about the risks of choking and aspiration. She also pointed out that the nursing staff would have limited time to spend assisting her with meals. Even so, Mrs. Wright was adamant. “It’s my life and I will live it the way I want!” she insisted.
The next day arrangements were made for nursing staff to meet with Mrs. Wright and her husband. During the discussion, it became clear that Mr. Wright supported his wife, and that the couple had thoroughly explored the options and were prepared to accept the consequences of their decision. They had also discussed the implications their decision would have on family members. Having realized that the Wrights were not going to change their decision, the nursing staff approached Mrs. Wright’s physician and convinced him that it would be in her best interest to order her a soft diet. This only further angered Mrs. Wright.”
(Michael Yeo, Concepts and Cases in Nursing Ethics [Lewistown, NY: Broadview Press, 1991], 68–69.)
Address the following questions:
- Which 2 of the 4 principles do you think are in conflict in this case? Support your answer.
- Which principle do you think should take precedence in this case? Support your answer.
Other questions to consider:
- In light of the couple’s statement that they had “thoroughly explored the options and were prepared to accept the consequences of their decision,” do you think that should have ended the discussion?
- Do you think the nursing staff were justified in approaching the physician and convincing him to write an order for a soft diet?
- Can you think of a creative alternative that might resolve the conflict between the couple and the staff?
Solution: Phil 380 Response Paper Assignment: Principles of Bioethics
In the case of Mrs. Wright, the two conflicting bioethics principles are patient autonomy and beneficence. Patient autonomy stresses the patient’s right to make their own decisions about their healthcare based on their preferences, values, and informed consent while beneficence obligates healthcare professionals to act in the patient’s best interests, promote their health and well-being, and protect them from harm (Varkey, 2023). Mrs. Wright asserts her autonomy and her right to make her own decisions concerning her life, particularly her choice of diet. However, Nurse Klein and other staff are concerned about her well-being and advocate for a soft diet to prevent the risk of choking and aspiration (beneficence).
The principle of patient autonomy should take precedence because Mrs. Wright has the capacity and capability to make decisions about her health and life and her husband supports her stand. She has the right to choose her diet, considering that she and her husband stress that they understand the risks involved and her ready to accept the consequences, indicating her decision is well-informed. It is also stated that she practices slow eating even before the nurse notices, indicating she understands the risk of choking. While the concerns of the nursing staff are valid, her right to autonomy should not be overridden as it could undermine her trust and respect for……Please click purchase button below to get full answer for $10