Assignment Task: A 70-year-old patient in the Critical Care Unit, Mr. C., has end-stage cardiac disease. He is intubated and dependent on medication to sustain adequate blood pressure. Though his case is seemingly futile, the medical team plans to continue aggressive therapy. One of the patient's sons would like treatment to be withdrawn. The patient's wife and daughter disagree. Mr.C. is unable to speak for himself and made no decisions respecting care in advance, while competent. The treatment plan and the rules of the unit mean visiting is kept to a maximum of 10 minutes per hour.
Questions for Discussion:
1. What is the current situation?
2. How do you think the health care team is feeling?
3. What is the main decision in this situation?
4. What makes the decision difficult?
5. What do nurses experience?
Minimum of 2 academic references