A nurse is caring for a patient who has developed MODS (multiorgan dysfunction syndrome)resulting from septic shock.The patient is ventilator dependent and on vasopressors to maintain a Doppler-measured blood pressure of 80 mm Hg.The family is resistant to permit terminal weaning.The best action by the nurse is to:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In this situation, the best action by the nurse is to ask the family to meet with the hospital's ethics committee. The ethics committee can help facilitate communication between the healthcare team and the family to explore the patient's wishes, values, and goals of care. The committee can also provide guidance in cases where there is disagreement among family members or between the family and healthcare team. Insisting that the family disconnect the patient or arranging for vasopressors to be turned off without proper communication and collaboration with the family is not ethical and can cause harm to the patient. Seeking a family member who does agree is not an appropriate option, as the decision to withdraw life support should not be based on finding a single family member who agrees.

A Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Has Developed