Is a feeding tube equivalent to a breathing machine?

 

Ethical and Legal Issues

Read the following case study and submit a 1- to 2-page essay in a Microsoft Word document using APA 6th edition in response to the questions.

Case Study:

Ann is a seventy-seven-year-old grandmother. She has one daughter and three grandchildren. Two years ago, she was diagnosed with moderately advanced Alzheimer’s disease, which causes her to have periods of confusion, frustration, anger, and obsessive thinking. When speaking, she is uncertain and her speech patterns are choppy. Before her mental deterioration, Ann was a woman of love, intelligence, and patience. Realizing they were getting older, she and her husband, Frank, discussed their wishes should anything happen to them. She told Frank that if there was no chance of survival, she would not want to be hooked to a breathing machine. They never got around to filling any papers.

Frank is a sweet and sensitive man. His wife’s state frightens him. Ann’s love for him has been the focus of his life for sixty years. His urgent desire for the best care for Ann shows his devotion and love. Their daughter, Sarah, is a businesswoman. She is a hard worker and a good mother. She is forty-five, successful, and intelligent. Although she loves her parents dearly, she lives ten hours away. She regrets not seeing much of them, especially recently. Frank feels his role is to take care of Ann. He has spent the past year with her, watching after her, cooking for her, cleaning the home, and witnessing her deterioration. Finally, Ann is unable to walk alone safely and he finds he must have her admitted to a long-term care facility. He calls Sarah to come and help with the arrangements. After having Ann admitted to a local nursing home, both Frank and Sarah remember the pleading look in Ann’s eyes as they walk away.

After three weeks in the nursing home, Ann starts to cough and run a fever. She is seen by doctors and diagnosed as having pneumonia. She is transferred to a local hospital, where she is given intravenous antibiotics. Although the progress of her pneumonia is halted by the antibiotics, she stops talking and refuses to eat. The physician calls Frank to insert a feeding tube. Frank calls Sarah to ask what to do. They wonder, Is a feeding tube equivalent to a breathing machine? Would it be possible to allow Ann to lie there and die of starvation? Is that murder? What would she want? What is the right thing to do? (Burkhardt & Nathaniel, 2008).

Respond to the following:

  • Discuss the ethical decisions you would make.
  • Discuss the legal decisions you would make.
  • Explain, as a nurse, what advice would you give to Frank and Sarah.

Support your responses with examples.

Cite any sources in APA format.

NSG4070 W1A3 Rubric

Unsatisfactory

1

Emerging

2

Proficient

3

Exemplary

4

Score
Assignment Components
Discuss the ethical decisions you would make. Identified but did not discuss an ethical decision. Provided minimal discussion about one ethical decision. Discussed more than one ethical decision but needs more detail. Thoroughly discussed several ethical decisions in detail. [Score x 5 = 20 pts]
Discuss the legal decisions you would make. Identified but did not discuss a legal decision. Provided minimal discussion about one legal decision.. Discussed more than one legal decision but needs more detail. Thoroughly discussed several legal decisions in detail. [Score x 5 = 20 pts]
As Ann’s nurse, explain what advise you would give Frank and Sarah? No explanation just advise given to Frank and Sarah. Provided minimal explanation and advise given to Frank and Sarah. Provided an explanation of what advise would be given to Frank and Sarah but needs more detail. Thoroughly explained what advise would be given to Frank and Sarah. [Score x 5 = 20 pts]
Presented well-focused and coherent arguments. Provided an argument but was not clearly focused or coherence. Provided one argument lacking focus and coherence. Provided a few arguments but needed to improve focus and coherence. Provided arguments that were well-focused and coherent. [Score x 5 = 20 pts]
Supported answers with relevant examples and journal articles. Cited one source and it was not a journal article. Cited 2 sources but they were not journal articles. Cited one source that was a journal article. Cited 2 journal articles in the paper. [Score x 5 = 20 pts]
Articulated clearly all judgment(s) and line(s) of reasoning. Judgments and line of reasoning was not clearly articulated. Judgments and line of reasoning was poorly articulated. Judgments and line of reasoning needed to improve articulation. Judgments and line of reasoning was well-articulated. [Score x 5 = 20 pts]
Demonstrated insight and analysis. Demonstrated the lack of insight, understanding, and analysis of ideas and thoughts. Demonstrated minimal insight, understanding, and analysis of ideas and thoughts. Demonstrated insight, understanding, and analysis of ideas and thoughts but needed improvement. Demonstrated well-developed insight, understanding, and analysis of ideas and thoughts. [Score x 2.5 = 10 pts]
Writing Components
Organization

Introduction

Thesis

Transitions

Conclusion

Introduction is limited or missing entirely.

The paper lacks a thesis statement.

Transitions are infrequent, illogical, or missing entirely.

Conclusion is limited or missing entirely.

Introduction is present but incomplete or underdeveloped.

The paper is loosely organized around a thesis that may have to be inferred.

Transitions are sporadic.

Conclusion is present, but incomplete or underdeveloped.

Introduction has a clear opening, provides background information, and states the topic.

The paper is organized around an arguable, clearly stated thesis statement.

Transitions are appropriate and help the flow of ideas.

Conclusion summarizes main argument and has a clear ending.

Introduction catches the reader’s attention, provides compelling and appropriate background info, and clearly states the topic.

The paper is well organized around an arguable, focused thesis.

Thoughtful transitions clearly show how ideas relate.

Conclusion leaves the reader with a sense of closure and provides concluding insights.

[Score x 2 =8 pts]
Usage and Mechanics

Grammar

Spelling

Sentence structure

Writing contains numerous errors in spelling, grammar, and/or sentence structure that severely interferes with readability and comprehension. Errors in spelling and grammar exist that somewhat interfere with readability and/or comprehension. Writing follows conventions of spelling and grammar throughout. Errors are infrequent and do not interfere with readability or comprehension. The paper is basically error free in terms of mechanics. Grammar and mechanics help establish a clear idea and aid the reader in following the writer’s logic. [Score x1.5 =6pts]
APA Elements

Attribution

Paraphrasing

Quotations

No attempt at APA format. APA format is attempted to paraphrase, quote, and cite, but errors are significant. Using APA format, accurately paraphrased, quoted, and cited in many spots throughout when appropriate or called for. Errors present are somewhat minor. Using APA format, accurately paraphrased, quoted, and cited throughout the presentation when appropriate or called for. Only a few minor errors present. [Score x 1.5 = 6 pts]
Subtotal
Timeliness Late Work penalty:
Total Score / 150

SU_NSG4070 W1 A3 Grading Rubric 1