Case Study: Healing and Autonomy Mike and Joanne are the parents of James and Samuel, identical twins born 8 years ago. James is currently suffering from acute glomerulonephritis, kidney failure. James was originally brought into the hospital for complications associated with a strep throat infection. The spread of the A streptococcus infection led to the subsequent kidney failure. James’s condition was acute enough to warrant immediate treatment. Usually cases of acute glomerulonephritis caused by strep infection tend to improve on their own or with an antibiotic. However, James also had elevated blood pressure and enough fluid buildup that required temporary dialysis to relieve. The attending physician suggested immediate dialysis. After some time of discussion with  Joanne, Mike informs the physician that they are going to forego the dialysis and place their faith in God. Mike and Joanne had been moved by a sermon their pastor had given a week ago, and also had witnessed a close friend regain mobility when she was prayed over at a healing service after a serious stroke. They thought it more prudent to take James immediately to a faith healing service instead of putting James through multiple rounds of dialysis. Yet, Mike and Joanne agreed to return to the hospital after the faith healing services later in the week,and in hopes that James would be healed by then. Two days later the family returned and was forced to place James on dialysis, as his condition had deteriorated. Mike felt perplexed and tormented by his decision to not treat James earlier.  Had he not enough faith? Was God punishing him or James? To make matters worse, James's kidneys had deteriorated such that his dialysis was now not a temporary matter and was in need of a kidney transplant. Crushed and desperate, Mike and Joanne immediately offered to donate one of their own kidneys to James, but they were not compatible donors. Over the next few weeks, amidst daily rounds of dialysis, some of their close friends and church members also offered to donate a kidney to James. However, none of them were tissue matches.  James’s nephrologist called to schedule a private appointment with Mike and Joanne. James was stable, given the regular dialysis, but would require a kidney transplant within the year. Given the desperate situation, the nephrologist informed Mike and Joanne of a donor that was an ideal tissue match, but as of yet had not been considered—James’s brother Samuel. Mike vacillates and struggles to decide whether he should have his other son Samuel lose a kidney or perhaps wait for God to do a miracle this time around. Perhaps this is where the real testing of his faith will come in? Mike reasons, “This time around it is a matter of life and death.  What could require greater faith than that?”  Benchmark - Patient's Spiritual Needs: Case Analysis In addition to the topic study materials, use the chart you completed and questions you answered in the .

1. Case Study:
Healing and Autonomy
Mike and Joanne are the parents of James and Samuel, identical
twins born 8 years ago. James is currently suffering from acute
glomerulonephritis, kidney failure. James was originally
brought into the hospital for complications associated with a
strep throat infection. The spread of the A streptococcus
infection led to the subsequent kidney failure. James’s condition
was acute enough to warrant immediate treatment. Usually cases
of acute glomerulonephritis caused by strep infection tend to
improve on their own or with an antibiotic. However, James
also had elevated blood pressure and enough fluid buildup that
required temporary dialysis to relieve. The attending physician
suggested immediate dialysis. After some time of discussion
with
Joanne, Mike informs the physician that they are going to
forego the dialysis and place their faith in God. Mike and
Joanne had been moved by a sermon their pastor had given a
week ago, and also had witnessed a close friend regain
mobility when she was prayed over at a healing service after a
serious stroke. They thought it more prudent to take James
immediately to a faith healing service instead of putting James
through multiple rounds of dialysis. Yet, Mike
and Joanne agreed to return to the hospital after the faith
healing services later in the week,and in hopes that James would
be healed by then.
Two days later the family returned and was forced to place
James on dialysis, as his condition had deteriorated. Mike felt

2. perplexed and tormented by his decision to not treat James
earlier.
Had he not enough faith? Was God punishing him or James? To
make matters
worse, James's kidneys had deteriorated such that his dialysis
was now not a
temporary matter and was in need of a kidney transplant.
Crushed and desperate, Mike and Joanne immediately offered to
donate one of their own kidneys to James, but they were not
compatible donors.
Over the next few weeks, amidst daily rounds of dialysis, some
of their close friends and church members also offered to donate
a kidney to James.
However, none of them were tissue matches.
James’s nephrologist called to schedule a private appointment
with Mike
and Joanne.
James was stable, given the regular dialysis, but would require a
kidney transplant within the year. Given the desperate situation,
the nephrologist informed Mike and Joanne of a donor that was
an ideal tissue match, but as of yet had not been considered—
James’s brother Samuel. Mike vacillates and
struggles to decide whether he should have his other son Samuel
lose a
kidney or perhaps wait for God to do a miracle this time around.
Perhaps this is where the real testing of his faith will come in?

3. Mike reasons, “This time around it is a matter of life and death.
What could require greater faith than that?”
Benchmark - Patient's Spiritual Needs: Case Analysis
In addition to the topic study materials, use the chart you
completed and questions you answered in the Topic 3 about
"Case Study: Healing and Autonomy" as the basis for your
responses in this assignment.
Answer the following questions about a patient's spiritual needs
in light of the Christian worldview.
In 200-250 words, respond to the following: Should the
physician allow Mike to continue making decisions that seem to
him to be irrational and harmful to James, or would that mean a
disrespect of a patient's autonomy? Explain your rationale.
In 400-500 words, respond to the following: How ought the
Christian think about sickness and health? How should a
Christian think about medical intervention? What should Mike
as a Christian do? How should he reason about trusting God and
treating James in relation to what is truly honoring the
principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence in James's care?
In 200-250 words, respond to the following: How would a
spiritual needs assessment help the physician assist Mike
determine appropriate interventions for James and for his family
or others involved in his care?

4. Remember to support your responses with the topic study
materials.
While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment,
solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of
sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines,
which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the
Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to
beginning the assignment to become familiar with the
expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.
Refer to the
LopesWrite Technical Support articles
for assistance.
Benchmark Information
This benchmark assignment assesses the following
programmatic competencies:
BS in Health Sciences 1.2; BS Nursing (RN to BSN ) 5.2
Assess for the spiritual needs and provide appropriate
interventions for individuals, families, and groups.