An alert, oriented, competent 87-year-old patient requests a Do Not Attempt Resuscitation/Allow Natural Death (AND) prescription. The patient's family members oppose the patient's decision and ask the hospital's ethics committee to intervene on their behalf. Which framework is the ethics committee most likely as a guide for their decision making process?
A)Social justice
B)Patient benefit
C)Autonomy
D)Consequentialist

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ethics committee is most likely to use the principle of autonomy as a guide in their decision-making process. This principle respects the patient's right to make their own healthcare decisions, including the choice for a Do Not Attempt Resuscitation/Allow Natural Death (AND) prescription, especially when the patient is alert, oriented, and competent.

An Alert, Oriented, Competent 87-Year-Old Patient Requests a Do Not