Directions: Read the following case study and determine whether or the informed

Question

Directions: Read the following case study and determine whether or the informed refusal process was correctly applied Question 1 A 64-year-old male patient presented to emergency department #1 with a headache and neck pain. A CT scan of the brain was obtained and was negative. The physician advised the patient that they should consider the possibility of meningitis, requiring a lumbar puncture to analyze his spinal fluid. The physician stated his suspicion was low for meningitis. The patient stated, “If you are not that concerned, I’m not either.” He declined the lumbar puncture. The patient presented to emergency department #2 via ambulance 48 hours later. He was comatose and was diagnosed with a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Explanation / Answer

According to the information, it indeed seems that the patient was suffering from serious cerebral ailment and required immediate attention. From the observations that the patient had initially headache and neck pain and after 48 hours displayed comatose and subarachnoid hemorrhage, it is verified that the initial clinical condition of the patient demanded immediate and appropriate attention. It is not suggestted that the first physician's diagnosis was wrong, but the method of presenting his diagnosis and suggestion to the patient indeed seems inappropriate. Taking an informed concent from the patient is advised and appropriat but at the same time, the patient's trust must also not be shattered. This is both, irresponsible and irrelavant with respect to medical practise. When the patient observed that the physician himself was not very sure about his condition, he lost his trust and could not make up his mind for a semi-surgical procedure to be done with his brain. Thus, although the case was unfortunate, but decline of patient's consent was not to be soleley blamed.

Thus, in this particular case, the informed refusal process seems to be appropriate.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse D
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.