1) The dilemma is whether surgical intervention or anticoagulant treatment is best for Helen, a hospice patient with a terminal illness, to provide a more humane dying process. 2) The hospice physician recommends anticoagulant therapy to allow a more peaceful death, while the ER physician wants surgery. 3) The best alternative is to ask Helen her preference, or if unable, her next of kin, and administer anticoagulants as the hospice physician advocates, to avoid prolonging her suffering from her terminal illness.