Massachusetts Medical Society: Question 4

Question 4

 

Question:

 

The patient was intubated in the emergency department. Further evaluation revealed an intracranial hemorrhage. Neurosurgery believed intervention was not warranted. The patient was transferred to the intensive care unit. A week later, she remains unconscious on the ventilator, and it appears unlikely that she'll improve. The son (health care agent) wants her to be extubated, but the daughter considers that murder and argues against it. You attempt to get the siblings to reach consensus but are ultimately unable to. What should be done?

 

 

 

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Answer:

Leave the patient intubated because her next-of-kin do not agree.
 

 

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Answer:

Leave the patient intubated because you agree with the daughter that extubation in this case amounts to murder.
 

 

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Answer:

Extubate the patient because the health care agent has made that decision based on his assessment of the patient's wishes. 
 

 

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Answer:

Seek a court-appointment guardian for the patient.
 

 

Correct Answer? 

 

Explanation:

 

 

Format:

Radio buttons (single select)

 

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