The document discusses an ethical dilemma regarding the care of a child, Mary Jane Pierce, who is on life support. It considers whether to continue life support or allow her to die naturally, and whether the parents can use experimental treatments like cannab oil that have not been approved. The ethical decision was made to continue life support for Mary Jane and allow use of traditional herbal medicines as part of the family's culture with physician oversight. The role of an LPN in such situations is limited but they can educate and advocate for patients by providing the best care and helping explore alternative options.

1. Ethical Dilemma
a. Whetheritisthe bestinterestof the childtocontinuallyputherintolife supporttokeepher
alive orwhetheritisthe bestinterestof the childtoremove the ventilatortoletherdie
naturally.
b. Do parentshave the rightto applyexperimental treatmentsuchascannabisoil totheirchild
withouthavingbeenapprovedsafe touse intreatingconditionlike seizure.
c. Do parentshave the rightto know the care andservicesprovidedtotheirchild,and have the
rightto participate inanydecisionmakingthatwill affectthe patient.
Ethical Decision
a. It isthe bestinterestof MaryJane Pierce to keepherlife support.Eventhoughscience issaying
that itis impossible forhertosurvive,butwiththe advancementof ourtechnologythereare a
lotmore thatcan be done.Inher case,furthertestingandtreatmentshouldbe done before
makinga decisionorconclusiononwhatto dowithher.I do believethatlife issacred,and
removingherlife supportmeansthatwe are doingharmto the child.
b. Culturally,FirstNationfamiliesusedherbsinhealingtheirsicklove ones.Usingherbal medicine
has alreadybeenpartof theirculture.There isnothingwrongtoincorporate traditional
medicationswiththe westernmedications,aslongasit isproperlydocumentedandthe
physicianneedstoinformif the patientistakinganyherbal medication.
c. Discriminationshouldhave noplace inoursociety.Decisionshouldbe basedonfactspresented
and notmerelyonemotion andunsolicitedinformation.
What I have learned?
Usingthe stepforethical reasoningwillsurelyprovideuswiththe bestdecision.The stepskeepyouin
track, inline withyourpersonal value,thiswill allow ustothink onwhat we can do to helpourpatient.
What I hope to learn?
There are otherstrategiesthatwe can use to come up withan ethical decision.Ihope Ican use other
strategiesinthe future.
What youlike anddidn’tlike aboutthe ethical decisionmakingprocess?
I don’tthinkI dislike somethingaboutethical decisionmakingprocess.WhatIlike isthat itmake you
dissectthe issue andreallylookatiton where youwill putyourpersonal valuestomake astand.Once
we have made a decision,itisjusteasyforusto planan action,implement,andevaluate.
How mightthisshowupin the LPN’srole?
Sometimesourrole asLPN is quietlimited.There are decisionthatare notin ourcontrol,but whatwe
can do isto educate and provide ourbestcare to our patient.We can alsoadvocate for our patientin
helpingthemtolookforalternativesandreferringthemtosupportgroupsinthe community.