10-31-2009, 08:07 PM
After starting an intravenous catheter and administering a diuretic, you are getting ready to intubate the
patient. The emergency department nurse conveys a message from the patient's daughter in Florida that
there is a living will written by the patient which mandates that under no circumstances should he be
intubated, resuscitated by CPR or dependent on artificial ventilation or feeding. The nurse reports that
the daughter was very emotional and adamant that the patient should just be made comfortable, and
that she would sue if he was intubated or if CPR carried out. During that emotional conversation she
forgot to leave her phone number. The most appropriate next step in management is to
A. call a hospital administrator to make a decision
B. call a hospital lawyer for advice
C. intubate the patient
D. respect the daughter's wishes and keep the patient comfortable without intubation
E. try and trace the daughter's phone number and request a fax of the living will
patient. The emergency department nurse conveys a message from the patient's daughter in Florida that
there is a living will written by the patient which mandates that under no circumstances should he be
intubated, resuscitated by CPR or dependent on artificial ventilation or feeding. The nurse reports that
the daughter was very emotional and adamant that the patient should just be made comfortable, and
that she would sue if he was intubated or if CPR carried out. During that emotional conversation she
forgot to leave her phone number. The most appropriate next step in management is to
A. call a hospital administrator to make a decision
B. call a hospital lawyer for advice
C. intubate the patient
D. respect the daughter's wishes and keep the patient comfortable without intubation
E. try and trace the daughter's phone number and request a fax of the living will