Question

1. Ruth has full decision-making capability. She has just had extensive diagnostic tests. Her physician advises that she has a serious form of cancer, but that certain treatments may well extend her life to 12 or more years. Without any treatment, he estimates that Ruth will live from 2 to 2-1/2 years. The doctor explains the side effects and alternative therapies. Ruth talks with her husband and children. She tells the doctor that she will not undergo the treatment on account of the side effects. She only wants comfort care. Does Ruth have the legal right to reject treatment even if—as here—that will bring on her death much sooner?

A. No, unless she has an advance directive especially refusing this treatment.

B. Yes, in virtually all cases.

C. Yes, but in only some rare cases.

D. No

2. The doctor talks further with Ruth and her husband and persuades her to undergo treatment. At one point it becomes necessary to install a feeding tube and intravenous administration of fluids. Ruth consents to this, but after a while changes her mind. She directs that the artificial administration of fluids and food be ended. The doctor warns Ruth and her husband that without them she will lapse into a coma and probably die in a week or so. Ruth persists in her demand that the tubes be taken out. Does Ruth have the right to have the tubes removed even if—as here—that will cause her death?

A. Yes, but in only some rare cases.

B. Yes, in virtually all cases.

C. No

D. No, unless she has an advance directive especially refusing this treatment.

3. Assume the previous facts are somewhat different. Ruth has lapsed into a coma with the tubes in place. Her husband, Finley, is her duly appointed agent for medical decisions. He consults fully with the physician and decides that Ruth would want the tubes removed were she awake. He talks with their two children. Sadly, they all concur, that “mom" would want the tubes taken out. Finley directs the physician to remove the tubes, although he well realizes that this will cause his wife’s death in a week or so. Does Finley have the right to do this, such that the doctor and hospital must comply?

1. No
2. Yes, but in only some rare cases.

C. No, unless Ruth has an advance directive especially refusing this treatment.

D. Yes, in virtually all cases.

If Ruth had not completed an advance directive appointing Finley as an agent, would Finley still be able to make the treatment decision that he made in Question 3 (Texas Law Governs)?

A. Yes, but in only some rare cases.

B. Yes, in virtually all cases.

C. No

D. No, unless a court-appointed him as Ruth’s guardian.

Answer 1

Answer: Yes, in all the cases.

( A patient who is in mental stable state can refuse the treatment because according to the medical of ethics, the autonomy is important. The patient can decide whether to refuse treatment or not. the autonomy is valid even tough the patient is critically ill. )