A nurse is caring for a patient who has developed MODS (multiorgan dysfunction syndrome) resulting from septic shock. The patient is ventilator dependent and on vasopressors to maintain a Doppler-measured blood pressure of 80 mm Hg
The family is resistant to permit terminal weaning. The best action by the nurse is to
a. insist that the family disconnect the pa-tient from the ventilator.
b. ask the family to meet with the hospital's ethics committee.
c. seek a family member who does agree and have them sign the consent form.
d. arrange for the vasopressors to be turned off when the family is not present.
ANS: B
The most appropriate action is to involve the hospital's ethics committee in the decision-making process. The other options are inappropriate. Nurses must always act on behalf of the patient but must act within a legal and ethical framework.
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