Surgery>>>>>Surgical Considerations in the Elderly
Question 14#

The goals of ethical decision making in the elderly patient include all of the following EXCEPT:

A. Acknowledgement of medical futility
B. Clarify and follow patients' wishes regarding like-sustaining therapies
C. Respect patient's autonomy to decide the course of therapy
D. Abide by the wishes of the family if they conflict with those of the patient

Correct Answer is D

Comment:

The primacy of the patient and his/her decisions regarding their own care is of greatest importance in the ethical care of the elderly surgical patient. A surrogate decision maker may be appointed by the patient, but that individual should decide medical decisions based on what they believe would be the choice of the patient.