Palliative Care
Case 3
Note - this case has been adapted from the Defining Issues Test.
You are the pharmacist in a palliative care centre. Patient BM is in the last stages of breast cancer. She is in terrible pain and has asked the doctor to increase her dose of pain-killer medicine. BM is already taking the maximum safe dose recommended for this medication, and the doctor is hesitant to increase the dose any further since it would likely hasten her death. BM has expressed to both you and the doctor that she understands this risk, but she would like to be comfortable for the short remainder of her life. BM is clear and rational while expressing this. The doctor has asked you for your advice.
Your task:
Tip: Consider using the Documentation Tool to help you navigate through the case
Note - this case has been adapted from the Defining Issues Test.
You are the pharmacist in a palliative care centre. Patient BM is in the last stages of breast cancer. She is in terrible pain and has asked the doctor to increase her dose of pain-killer medicine. BM is already taking the maximum safe dose recommended for this medication, and the doctor is hesitant to increase the dose any further since it would likely hasten her death. BM has expressed to both you and the doctor that she understands this risk, but she would like to be comfortable for the short remainder of her life. BM is clear and rational while expressing this. The doctor has asked you for your advice.
Your task:
- Consider if this is an ethical dilemma
- If this is an ethical dilemma, what are the key ethical principles involved?
Tip: Consider using the Documentation Tool to help you navigate through the case
Case Discussion
Rather than give away all the answers in a case discussion, I encourage you to discuss this case in our blog! Come back to this page on July 1st 2013 to see what the author has to say.
Below is a link to our blog:
Rather than give away all the answers in a case discussion, I encourage you to discuss this case in our blog! Come back to this page on July 1st 2013 to see what the author has to say.
Below is a link to our blog:
References
1. Defining Issues Test. November 2009. Cited June 14, 2013. Available from: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/provost/qep/docs/DIT_Spring2009.pdf.
1. Defining Issues Test. November 2009. Cited June 14, 2013. Available from: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/provost/qep/docs/DIT_Spring2009.pdf.