Review the principle of double effect found in the chapter. Based on the principle, could a nurse (with a written order) turn up the oxygen flowmeter to assist a dyspneic (having difficulty breathing) patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
knowing that oxygen, while making the patient more comfortable, often suppresses the respirations of these patients and might lead to respiratory failure? Explain your answer.
If we removed the question as to whether this was a wrong order and only focus on the principle of double effect, the analysis will follow this reasoning: The provision of oxygen would seem to be morally good or at least neutral, the good (relief of dyspnea) does not follow directly from the harmful side effects, the harm is not intended, and a determination would need to be made as to whether the good outweighs the harm in the particular case.
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