...doctor’s office, the doctor informs you that there is no easy way of telling you that a large amount of cancer cells have been found in your blood work. As you try to speak, he continues to inform you that the cancer cells have completely taken over your blood and have migrated to your vital organs. As you try to speak again, he interrupts you one more time, however, this time it is to deliver the final blow; you only have six weeks left to live, which you will surely spend in extreme pain and unremitting suffering as your body goes into complete organ failure. Would you not want the option to end your pain and suffering and die with at least a little dignity? This is what physician-assisted suicide (PAS), if legalized, would offer terminally ill patients. The strongest argument made on behalf of the legalization of PAS is that it, like abortion, it is a choice issue. Proponents continue to argue that PAS is the ultimate civil right,...
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...Sandra Cerwinsky SOC 120: Introduction of Ethics and Social Responsibility David Strand September 24, 2012 Ethical/Personal Issues of Physician Assisted Suicide Physician assisted suicide is a very passionate topic for me. I totally agree that it should be legalized and used when a terminally ill patient has totally used every possible avenue of treatment and there is nothing left to do. As a Utilitarian you definitely want the right thing to be done. Then what is right is right and wrong is wrong. I am sure that in egoism there would be a problem because they would only want to be the hero so to speak and do what is correct of the family and everyone else’s needs. As we go through the issue you will see different views and feelings involving all providers involved which are doctors, nurses, patients, friends, and family members. What is physician assisted suicide? For the lack of a better term physician assisted suicide will be addressed as “euthanasia”. Euthanasia is defined broadly as “the mercy killing of the hopelessly ill, injured or incapacitated” (Pozgar, 2010). Euthanasia is a Greek word meaning “good death” or “easy death” (Pozgar, 2010). As a healthcare worker/provider for many years I have come to have great feelings on passive euthanasia as well as many other healthcare individuals have. We must discuss the fine lines of legal issues as well as ethical issues. Is there a right or a wrong, when it comes to the...
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...PHYSICIAN-ASSISTED SUICIDE: LEGALITY AND MORALITY Wednesday - May 8th, 2002 By Martin Levin, 107 Irving Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 (617)-497-6828 mlevin@levinlaw.com On Sunday, June 21, 1992, Jennifer Cowart, age thirty-two, and her brother George Kowalski, age twenty-eight, traveled to Pensacola Beach, Florida, for a day of relaxation. At the end of the day, Jennifer and George were heading back to their vehicle when Jennifer noticed a go-kart track. The two entered the track, bought tickets, and began riding. Within one minute, Jennifer’s go-kart bumped into one of the side guardrails, flipped on its side, and burst into flames. Jennifer was seat-belted in the go-kart and could not get out. George tried to run into the fire to save his sister, but the flames were too intense. Bystanders attempted to use a fire extinguisher, but it did little to lessen the inferno. Jennifer was trapped in the burning go-kart for two minutes when her seat-belt finally burned through and she fell to the ground. George grabbed his sister and pulled her away from the fire. Jennifer was alive. She was lying on the asphalt alert, oriented, and coherent. She had suffered 3rd and 4th degree burns covering ninety-five percent of her body. She was suffering the worst pain imaginable. At the scene, Jennifer begged the rescue personnel to “let me die.” Instead, Jennifer was flown to a burn center in Mobile, Alabama, where she remained for one year until she was overcome by an infection...
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...THE LAW ON ASSISTED SUICIDE On July 26, 1997, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously upheld decisions in New York and Washington state that criminalized assisted suicide. These decisions overturned rulings in the 2nd and 9th Circuit Courts of Appeal which struck down state statutes banning physician-assisted suicide. Those courts had found that the statutes, which prohibited doctors from prescribing lethal medication to competent, terminally ill adults, violated the 14th Amendment. In striking the appellate decisions, the U.S. Supreme Court found that there was no constitutional "right to die," but left it to individual states to enact legislation permitting or prohibiting physician-assisted suicide. (The full text of these decisions, plus reports and commentary, can be found at the Washinton Post web site.) As of April 1999, physician-assisted suicide is illegal in all but a handful of states. Over thirty states have enacted statutes prohibiting assisted suicide, and of those that do not have statutes, a number of them arguably prohibit it through common law. In Michigan, Jack Kevorkian was initially charged with violating the state statute, in addition to first-degree murder and delivering a controlled substance without a license. The assisted suicide charge was dropped, however, and he was eventually convicted of second degree murder and delivering a controlled substance without a license. Only one state, Oregon, has legalized assisted suicide. The Oregon statute...
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...“Euthanasia” eu means "good" and thanatos means "death". One meaning given to the word is "the intentional termination of life by another at the explicit request of the person who dies." Therefore, the term euthanasia practically means that the act must be initiated or agreed upon by the person who wishes to commit suicide. But as a disagreement, some people define euthanasia to include both voluntary and involuntary termination of life. In his book Unplugged: Reclaiming Our Right to Die in America, William Colby states that "euthanasia" defines multiple meanings and yet, leads to a massive confusion. For example, for today’s world, it is defined as the “intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit.” This literally means that if death is not intended, then it is not an act of euthanasia. Others would also recognize it as “mercy killing” or “physician-assisted suicide”. Now many will ask themselves how it is affecting our society and the ethics involved with Euthanasia. Moreover, this procedure of Euthanasia not only affects the moralities of human beings but also the important role of the medical practice. My major is to become a nurse in the medical field. And, I believe that my role as a nurse is to prevent patients from dying, that is, of course, also the goal of the...
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...Another document that the nurse may encourage it, it is the Enduring Power of Attorney; either medical or financial while she is still in a reasonable decision making state. The Enduring Power of Attorney is a legal document appointing a person to make decisions in behalf of the patient, when the patient is no longer able to do so. Do Not Resuscitate Directive (DNR), is a document that forbids or at least questions the benefits of a cardio pulmonary resuscitation and can only be written by Christine’s doctor. All of the above-mentioned documents, the nurse may suggest it as part of her role, to advocate and protect Christine from further pressure and stresses that may arise within or from family members. If the patient loses capacity to make decisions they can write a legal document, that stipulates their treatment preferences and the nurse must ensure is provided as requested. The legislation of these documents is variable from state to state; therefore the nurse must have an understanding of the state legislature, to be able to practice within her scope. As already mentioned, Do Not Resuscitate Directive is an order that states the wish of the patient, not to...
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...Mortality, February 2005; 10(1): 69 – 81 Tube feeding: Prolonging life or death in vulnerable populations? ELAINE J. AMELLA, JAMES F. LAWRENCE, & SUZANNE O. GRESLE Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA Abstract Tube feeding can be an appropriate and effective means of providing nutrition for individuals who are unable to achieve adequate nourishment orally because of various medical problems. However, the delivery of nutrients by tube feeding can cause ethical dilemmas in cases where the effectiveness of tube feeding diminishes and medical complications increase. The decision to tube feed is often influenced by regional and cultural preferences, as well as the high cost of providing mealtime assistance. The effectiveness and appropriateness of tube feeding has been the subject of much debate as it applies to those with severe cognitive impairments and those who are in a persistent vegetative state (PVS). Recent research shows that in these vulnerable populations, tube feeding alone does not necessarily prevent malnutrition and risk of infection or improve functional status and comfort. While advanced directives allow an individual to make decisions about his or her care at the end of life, court cases and religious doctrine examine the individual’s right to autonomous decision making in opposition to preserving the sanctity of life. As long as the outcome of this debate is largely undecided, the process of dying may be prolonged for...
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...Knowledge Area Module VI Contemporary Issues and the Ethical Delivery of Health Services Student: Harold Taitt, harold.taitt@waldenu.edu Student ID # A00293212 Program: Ph.D. Health Services Specialization: Health Management and Policy Faculty Mentor: Dr. Robert Hoye, robert.hoye@waldenu.edu Faculty Assessor: Dr. Jim Goes, jim.goes@waldenu.edu Walden University May 10, 2013 Abstract Breadth Component In this age of rapidly evolving technological advances, many of the legal and ethical issues that are challenging the delivery of health care and the health care profession are new. As we confront the legal, moral, and ethical aspects of health care, we are seldom faced with decisions that require or are resolved by simple right or wrong answers (Edge & Kreiger, 1998). In the Breadth component of KAM VI, I focus on several ethical theories and how those theories influence the way ethical issues and concerns are addressed and managed in the allocation and delivery of health care services. I critically assess and evaluate those theories, concepts, and derivative principles as they impact important decisions and the implications of those decisions within the context of social change and with special emphasis on health care management and policy. In addition, I discuss the key assumptions on which the selected theories are constructed, compare and contrast the writers’ interpretations across theories, and conclude by providing a critical commentary on the merits of the selected...
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...WORD COUNT 4399 The assignment will discuss a critical incident from a nursing management perspective, being an admission assessment experienced during placement. It is not a care study. There will be an overview of the nurse-managers responsibilities during the admission assessment and attention drawn to local and government policy. Particular consideration is given to risk assessment, Essence of Care (DoH 2001) in respect of the Waterlow Pressure Damage Assessment (1985), pressure sores, nutritional screening and delegation. Other issues considered will be communication, partnership working, the therapeutic relationship, and the nurse as an agent of change. Findings will be supported by literature. Identifying factors have been changed to respect patient confidentiality. Mary had no previous psychiatric history. She was eighty-four and lived in residential accommodation. She had two adult daughters who were unable to attend Mary’s admission. Prior to admission Mary’s behaviour had changed over several weeks and she had been refusing to get out of bed during the day. During admission she showed occasional signs of confusion but was able to give consent. Physically, Mary was in a wheelchair, had a history of falls, pressure damage, skin flaps. and needed full assistance with mobility. My mentor facilitated her admission assessment. I observed this in preparation of undertaking future ones myself whilst under supervision. From a management perspective my mentor who was the...
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...Chapter 1 Nursing Images throughout History 1) The angle of mercy 2) The handmaiden 3) The battle-ax 4) The naughty nurse 5) The military image A. Nurses on the battlefield * Hospitalers – specialized soldiers who at the end of battle returned to the outposts to care for the sick and injured * Army nursing service – organize nurses and hospitals and coordinate supplies for the soldiers during the Civil War * Clara Barton a. Provided care in tents set up close to the fighting b. Did not discriminate c. Establishment of the American Red Cross * Harriet Tubman – helped slaves escape to freedom on the underground railroad * Walt Whitman – a poet * Louisa May Alcott – an author * Dorothea Dix – union’s superintendent of female nurses during the Civil War B. Nurses fighting diseases * Florence Nightingale d. Epidemiology – the study of the distribution and origins of disease e. Air, light, nutrition, and adequate ventilation and space assist the patient to recuperate * Lillian Wald & Mary Brewster f. Founded the Henry Street Settlement in NY to improve the health and social conditions of poor immigrants g. Improve health and prevent illness by promoting safe drinking water, adequate sewage facilities, and proper sanitation Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) ...
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...Chapter 1: Ethical Theory Meta-ethical positions include: * Ethical non-cognitivism (concept that ethics is a matter of feelings) * Ethical relativism (concept that ethics is relative to a particular point of view) * Ethical objectivism (notion that ethics is objective in nature). Meta-Ethical Positions Ethical Non-cognitivism The basis of ethical non-cognitivism is that ethical disagreement can be a highly emotional affair where no amount of reasoning is likely to convince the other party. * Example: “Let’s just agree to disagree” Ethical Relativism * Ethical relativism says that while ethical statements are cognitively meaningful, they do not hold in any objective sense because they depend on our point of view. * If we accept ethical relativism, then ethical disagreement among people who do not share the same perspective becomes impossible. * It assumes that if people agree on something, then it must be true. * Ethical relativism is suspect for a pragmatic reason: it is fundamentally at variance with our social practice. * Example: “To each his own”, or the belief that what’s right for one group isn’t necessarily right for another Ethical Objectivism * Ethical objectivism holds that right and wrong are objective phenomena. * Example: “I’m right and you’re wrong” What is Ethics? * As a discipline, ethics is a branch of philosophy. * It deals with questions of right and wrong conduct, and with what we ought to do and what...
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...U.S. ARMY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT CENTER AND SCHOOL FORT SAM HOUSTON, TEXAS 78234 NURSING FUNDAMENTALS I SUBCOURSE MD0905 EDITION 100 TABLE OF CONTENTS Lesson Paragraphs INTRODUCTION UNIVERSAL BODY SUBSTANCE PRECAUTIONS 1 2 PATIENT RELATIONS Section I. Basic Human Needs and Principles of Health Section II. Communication Skills Section III. Reaction to Stress and Hospitalization Section IV. Transcultural Factors Influencing Nursing Care Exercises THE ADULT PATIENT CARE UNIT Exercises 3 BODY MECHANICS Section I. Techniques of Body Mechanics Section II. Positioning and Ambulating the Adult Patient Exercises ACTIVE AND PASSIVE RANGE OF MOTION EXERCISES Exercises 2-1--2-7 ADVANCED PRINCIPLES OF PATIENT HYGIENE Exercises 4 1-1--1-9 1-10--1-20 1-21--1-26 1-27--1-31 5 6 ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND THE PRACTICAL NURSE Exercises MD0905 i 3-1--3-15 . . 4-1--4-7 4-8--4-21 5-1--5-9 6-1--6-5 CORRESPONDENCE COURSE OF THE U.S. ARMY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT CENTER AND SCHOOL SUBCOURSE MED905 NURSING FUNDAMENTALS I INTRODUCTION Never before has there been a greater need for nurses. Never before has health care delivery challenged the nurse's commitment, knowledge, or technical competence more. Issues influencing current health-care delivery focus on promoting wellness, preventing illness, and rehabilitation to increase the patient's independence. This subcourse will present theory and concepts the person...
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...First Aid/CPR/AED PARTICIPANT’S MANUAL American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED PARTICIPANT’S MANUAL This participant’s manual is part of the American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED program. By itself, it does not constitute complete and comprehensive training. Visit redcross.org to learn more about this program. The emergency care procedures outlined in this book reflect the standard of knowledge and accepted emergency practices in the United States at the time this book was published. It is the reader’s responsibility to stay informed of changes in emergency care procedures. PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS BEFORE AGREEING TO ACCESS AND DOWNLOAD THE AMERICAN RED CROSS MATERIALS. BY DOWNLOADING THE MATERIALS, YOU HEREBY AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. The downloadable electronic materials, including all content, graphics, images and logos, are copyrighted by and the exclusive property of The American National Red Cross (“Red Cross”). Unless otherwise indicated in writing by the Red Cross, the Red Cross grants you (“recipient”) the limited right to download, print, photocopy and use the electronic materials, subject to the following restrictions: ■ The recipient is prohibited from selling electronic versions of the materials. ■ The recipient is prohibited from revising, altering, adapting or modifying the materials. ■ The recipient is prohibited from creating any derivative works incorporating, in part or in whole, the content of the materials...
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...Moore−Parker: Critical Thinking, Ninth Edition 5. Persuasion Through Rhetoric: Common Devices and Techniques Text © The McGraw−Hill Companies, 2009 Chapter Persuasion Through Rhetoric 5 It’s just the way things are: Images and impressions tend to sell more products than good arguments do. At least some of the images are fun. Common Devices and Techniques W hen the military uses the phrase “self-injurious behavior incidents” regarding detainees at Guantánamo Bay, it means what most of us call “attempted suicides.” In fact, when the word “detainees” is used, it means what most of us call “prisoners.” “Waterboarding” sounds at first like something you’d expect to see young people doing on a California beach, not a torture technique that involves forced simulated drowning. Less remarkable, perhaps, but possibly more relevant for most of us, we’ve heard the term “downsized” used when someone is fired or laid off. “Ethnic cleansing” covers everything from deportation to genocide. What we have to say may be important, but the words we choose to say it with can be equally important. The examples just given are cases of a certain type of linguistic coercion—an attempt to get us to adopt a particular attitude toward a subject that, if described differently, would seem less attractive to us. Words have tremendous persuasive power, or what we have called their rhetorical force or emotive meaning—their power to express and elicit images, feelings, and emotional...
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...Restorative Care Training for the Certified Nursing Assistant Trainer Manual TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Making the Most of the Training Making the Most of the Lesson Plans Making the Most of the Activities Trainer Preparation Welcome Module Activity T1 Welcome to the training Activity T2 Common Rules to Follow Activity T3 Successful Completion Activity T4 You will learn Trainer Preparation Module one Module one Trainer Preparation Module two Module two Trainer Preparation Module three Module three Trainer Preparation Module four Module four Appendix A Feeding Assistance Appendix B Fall Prevention Page T3 Page T3 Page T3 Page T4 Page T5 Page T7 Page T7 Page T8 Page T8 Page 7a Page 8 Page 27a Page 28 Page 35a Page 37 Page 104a Page 105 Page 114 Page 123 T2 Restorative Care; Training for the Certified Nursing Assistant Introduction Welcome to the program Restorative Care. This is the trainer manual used by trainers to teach nurse assistants and home health aides about caring for the person with Restorative issues. This manual accompanies the student manual, Restorative Care. This training is activity based. Participants are encouraged to share in the training process, to talk about relevant experiences if they choose and to ask questions. Making the Most of the Training Program Use this training manual as a guide for training individually or in groups. If you train on an individual basis it will be more effective to brainstorm with them than to use the...
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