Chapter 22, Problem 2CAQ

Summary Introduction

To describe:

How could a values clarification exercise promote an ethical response to this case?

Case summary:

A 17-year-old female patient with sickle cell disease was admitted for the treatment of sickle cell crisis. This sickle cell crisis could cause extreme pain due to the clumping of red blood cells which in turn impede the blood flow thereby causing extreme pain. The patient needs comfort management and aggressive fluids. The patient continues to report about the pain even though on receiving pain medications. She is apart from her friends and family members and she also complains about the surrounding environment including the treatment procedures. The shift report states that the patient is manipulative. The dose of pain medication is not increased on concerns about the risk of addiction.