NLM 201 Case Study: Accommodating Lise's Objection in the ICU

This case study explores the ethical dilemma faced by Lise, a new nurse in the ICU, regarding a patient's request to remove her ventilator. The solution argues that Lise's objection should be accommodated, emphasizing the moral considerations surrounding end-of-life decisions and the value of diverse perspectives within a healthcare team. It draws parallels to suicide prevention and highlights the importance of respecting individual moral beliefs, while acknowledging potential conflicts with other team members. The solution also suggests that Lise's unique viewpoint, despite potential challenges, can contribute positively to team discussions and ethical decision-making.

LEGAL AND ETHICAL
ISSUES

1
Should Lise’s objection be accommodated in the ICU?
Yes the Lise’s objection should be accommodated in the intensive care unit. This is
because it is a matter of someone’s life and death. Sometimes the decision taken by the
patients are under the emotions just because he or she feels that she will never be well. This
can also be understood in terms of the fact that many a times patients feels that he or she is a
burden on himself and his or her family. Here in the case of Caroline also similar thing
happened as she was in constant stress because she was on life support system and with
almost no hope of getting well. Lise’s concern should be accommodated because she has her
own moral understanding where she feels that taking someone life even when the person
wants to is not so good (Carrick, 2012). This must be seen with the same moral specs with
which any suicides are seen as in the case of suicide also people that are under the stress are
trying to do suicide (Keown, 2018). When a person aiming to do suicide is stopped by the
other people then why not the same can be applied on the patient. This thinking might be
different from other team members in ICU.
Yes she will remain to be an effective team member as she is skilled and has a
different point of view about any ethical situation. This sometimes can be good and
sometimes can be bad but it promotes diversity of idea a team.

2
References
Carrick, P. (2012). Medical ethics in antiquity: philosophical perspectives on abortion and
euthanasia (Vol. 18). Springer Science & Business Media.
Keown, J. (2018). Euthanasia, ethics and public policy: an argument against legalisation.
Cambridge University Press.