When Religious Beliefs and Medical Care Conflict—Part 2

The nurse in this situation requested an ethics consult, and members of the hospital’s ethics committee talked with the patient. Although the patient was lethargic, she could nod and reply “yes” and “no” when questioned. The patient reaffirmed her same wishes as noted on admission. When asked if she knew what would happen without treatment she stated, “I’ll die.” The primary physician spoke to the patient again in the presence of an ethics member, at which time she once again reiterated her previous wishes. The physician discontinued all dialysis and set up a meeting with the family, after which the family spoke to the patient. Later that day the patient said she changed her mind and now wanted everything done. Ethics committee members were again called. When they asked the patient why she changed her mind, she responded, “My family.” Further exploration of what “everything” meant to the patient revealed that she was willing to have dialysis, blood, and tube feedings, but no CPR or intubation.