From a deontologist perspective, l would treat Terry Shaw who is a cancer researcher and his genetic findings might help in the early detection of breast cancer. The ethical dilemma is serious as it leaves the physician with two difficult decisions. Deontological ethics argues that the decisions should made based on the rightness and the wrongness of the actions rather than the consequences (Lyu, & Zhang, 2018). Other ethical approach will consider the consequences of the decisions. However, in our case, the moral considerations of the actions were more important making it recommendable to treat the cancer researcher with the remaining antibiotics because the decision would be beneficial in saving more lives in future.
On the other hand, Becky Muterspaugh deserves to get the same antibiotic treatment because she has just completed a Ph. D in philosophy. Her education would have significant impact on the society. She is very young and with her education, she would be able to help people to understand their lives better. She is healthy unlike Shaw who is suffering from AlDS. However, she is very ill and has only a chance of living. Terry might benefit from the antibiotics in fighting the severe infection from the appendix ruptures. This implies there is no guarantee that Becky will be fully healed due to her condition. The decision will rely on the current facts and how they could impact the society to take the right action. As such, there is a dilemma whether it is the right decision to use the antibiotics in treating her.
Terry Shaw is an accomplished cancer researcher and her work would help in the discovery of genetic findings and outcomes that would help in the early detection of breast cancer. Currently, she has been battling with AlDS and often he has some serious relapse.
Shaw would be able to recover some function when given a certain antibiotic. However, his immune system is severely depressed and if the antibiotics is not given immediately, he would die.
The decision to give Shaw the antibiotics is to prevent him from dying and use his cancer research work in saving people from breast cancer. Barlow, Hargreaves and Gillibrand (2018) notes that the early detection of breast cancer is useful and increases the chances of saving the infected persons.
The decision was difficult because Shaw was ready suffering from AlDS and he would eventually die while, Becky is healthy. ln contrast, Becky might not die if she does not get the antibiotic.
l believe that Shaw is worthy saving due to his contribution to the cancer research and prevent his death. The decision to treat Terry Shaw rather than Becky Muterspaugh is supported by the various ethical principles.
The principle of autonomy calls for the physicians to make the right choices. The decision focused on self-governance of the physicians in making the right decision in adherence to the moral standards (Lyu, & Zhang, 2018).
Fidelity principle demands that the physicians should act in good faith to honor their responsibilities and relationships. The maintaining of utmost good faith defines the fidelity ethical principle. The physician is expected to make difficult ethical decisions such as defining who lives.
lntegrity of the physicians is important in making good decisions. As a medical physician, l will ensure that the antibiotic dosage is given to one patient only to ensure the quality of the treatment.
This determines the moral values and ability to focus on the needs of the patients. The opposing ethical principles to the decision to give the antibiotics to one patient is the beneficence ethical principle.
Beneficence demands that the physicians should work in benefiting the patients and improving their welfare. However, the decision does not seem to take care of one patient, which is unethical and immoral based on the beneficence principle (Barlow, et al., 2018).
Also, veracity principle emphasizes on the fiduciary responsibility of the medical practitioners to provide accurate information to the patients. The decision should be communicated to Becky to ensure that she understands the diagnosis and the treatment options.
Ineffective Pain Management in Postoperative Patients
Ineffective Pain Management in Postoperative Patients Assignment Directions • Review this week’s lecture materials and assigned reading(s). • Complete this assignment. o Identify one (1) current workplace clinical problem impacting quality that you have: a) observed in a clinical rotation, b) witnessed in your work environment, or c) researched in the literature (e.g., nursing peer-reviewed […]
