phuluong2k
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 714
Posts: 2,008
|
A 74-year-old woman with a long history of type 2 diabetes mellitus undergoes surgery for small bowel obstruction. After surgery, she develops acute renal failure. However, she refuses to undergo dialysis on the advice of her physician, who then calls for an immediate psychiatric consultation. The patient tells the psychiatrist that she has lived a long life and does not want to be kept alive by or attached to a machine, even if it means she will die. A mental status examination shows that she is not psychotic, that she is fully oriented and alert, and that she has no fluctuations of cognition or level of consciousness. The patient's family is insistent that she be dialyzed immediately. Which of the following is the most appropriate statement the psychiatric consultant could make?
A. The patient is aware of the consequences of her decision and does not show signs of a major psychiatric illness.
B. The patient is competent to decide on treatment, and her refusal to undergo dialysis must be respected.
C. The patient is competent to decide on treatment, but her refusal can be overruled because of a medical emergency.
D. The patient is operating in a suicidal manner and should be committed for treatment against her will.
E. The patient is temporarily incompetent, so start her on dialysis.
|
| ARJ
Forum Guru
Topics: 133
Posts: 792
|
A. The patient is aware of the consequences of her decision and does not show signs of a major psychiatric illness.
___________________
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." --Mahatma Gandhi
|
| an
Forum Guru
Topics: 19
Posts: 437
|
B?
___________________
I don't believe in miracles...I rely on them. And sometimes, I create my own.
|
| kingsofke
Forum Guru
Topics: 24
Posts: 715
|
ONly thing against B would be that court decides competence and not physicians ? So i would go with A.
___________________
In Life there are neither rewards nor punishments, just consequences.
|
| phuluong2k
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 714
Posts: 2,008
|
ARJ & Kingsofke are right
The court decides competence 
|
|
| |
| | | | | |
