Do Not Resuscitate Orders

Paper Summary:

This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the topic of do not resuscitate (DNR) orders and living wills (also known as "advance directives"). Specifically, it discusses the ethics of these orders and how they relate to medical law and professional ethics. The paper looks briefly at where patient rights and medical ethics blend and where they diverge.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
Definitions

From the Paper:

"Ultimately, the woman's condition deteriorated, and she died within 24 hours of the first legal and medical meeting regarding her case. However, the problem brings up many ethical questions. Who is ultimately responsible for advance directive orders? In this case, the woman could not speak for herself, and the closest relative was her husband, who made his wishes clearly known. However, the rights of the fetus also had to be considered. The authors of the case study note, "However, the rights of the unborn are still widely debated, and it is far less obvious that they can outweigh the well-established right of competent adults to be free of unwanted and burdensome medical treatment". This ethical question is difficult to decide, and even more difficult to implement. In this case, the doctor felt giving CPR to the woman would only prolong her life for perhaps minutes or hours, and would do nothing to greatly prolong her life and the life of her unborn child. If the age of the fetus had been different, this case probably would have ended in the courts."

Sample of Sources Used:

• American Family Physicians. "Pratical Guidelines for Do Not Resusciate Orders". November 1, 1994. Retrieved September 15, 2006, from http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi
• American Medical Association. "Do Not Resuscitate Orders". (n.d.). Retrieved September 15, 2006, from http://www.ama~assn.org
• Christian Medical Fellowship. (2004). Retrieved September 27, 2006, from http://www.cmf.org.uk
• EMSTAR webpage. Retrieved September 15, 2006, from http://www.emstar.org/dnr.html
• University of Washington School of Medicine. "Ethics in Medicine". (n.d). Retrieved September 14, 2006, from http://washington.edu/bioethx

More papers on Do Not Resuscitate Orders:

• Research Paper # 94047 : "Unilateral Do Not Resuscitate Orders (DNR)"
• Argumentative Essay # 63540 : "A "Do-Not-Resuscitate" - DNR Order"
• Term Paper # 55746 : "Do Not Resuscitate"

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