A 17-year-old patient has been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a…

Question A 17-year-old patient has been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a… A 17-year-old patient has been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a highly treatable cancer of the lymphatic system. Her physicians have proposed six months of chemotherapy treatment. Without this treatment, the patient will die within two years. The patient adamantly refuses treatment and her parents support that decision. A minor in her state cannot make medical decisions until the age of 18 and the state has required her parents to commence treatment because physicians indicate it is in her best interest. Child Protective Services have been contacted for intervention.What ethical principle is raised in this situation?What challenge to autonomy is raised in this case as a result of physicians believing the individual should receive treatment despite the wishes of the individual and her parents?Do you believe this patient should have the right to make this decision? If the patient turned 18 during the court’s involvement, should the patient’s right to refuse treatment be honored? Would you expect to find documentation in the patient’s record regarding this issue? Health Science Science Nursing Share QuestionEmailCopy link Comments (0)