Write a 2-3 page, APA formatted paper for the following scenarioand prompt(s):
Scenario: You are a case manager in anoutpatient disease management program assigned to coordinate thecare needs of Sam, a 72-year-old man with multiple chronic healthproblems. His medical history includes myocardial infarctions,implantation of a pacemaker, open-heart surgery, an inoperableabdominal aneurysm, and repeated episodes of congestive heartfailure. Because of his poor health, he cannot operate the smallbusiness he owns or work for any length of time at his gardening orother hobbies.
Although Sam has told you that death would be a relief tohis nearly constant discomfort and depression, his wife dismissessuch talk as “nonsense” and tells Sam that “she still needs him andwill always do everything in her power to keep him here with her.”In deference to his wife’s wishes, Sam has not completed any of thelegal paperwork necessary to create a durable power of attorney ora living will should he become unable to make his own health-caredecisions. Today, Sam takes you aside and suggests that “he wantsto fill out this paperwork so that no extraordinary means of lifesupport are used,” and he “wants you to witness it so that his wifewill not know.”
- Decide what you will do.
- What is your obligation to Sam? To his wife? To yourself?
- Whose needs are paramount?
- How do the ethical principles of autonomy, duty, and veracityintersect or compete in this case?
