Scenario #2 Nicole Alexander, a 52 year old woman with a history of heart problems, arrives at the hospital via an ambulance. Upon arrival at the hospital she is unconscious and her breathing is...

Scenario #2

Nicole Alexander, a 52 year old woman with a history of heart problems, arrives at the hospital via an ambulance. Upon arrival at the hospital she is unconscious and her breathing is labored. Her family members, including her husband, are at the hospital and insist that the doctor do all that she can to save Mrs. Alexander. Upon the request of Mr. Alexander, life sustaining measures are taken to keep Mrs. Alexander alive. Stephanie Alexander, the patient’s daughter arrives at the hospital with her mother’s living will which states that she does not want to be kept alive by artificial means. The doctor insists that all treatment be ceased and Mr. Alexander adamantly disagrees.

Questions

1. Who has the authority in this situation?


2. What happens if treatment has been started and then is ceased?