N
neophyte
Guest
I’m wondering about the line between ordinary and extraordinary care as it relates to feeding.
I understand that there’s no moral requirement to do everthing possible to extend life. For instance, as long as the body is functioning normally, on could not morally arrange to withold air from a patient because it’s normal care to make sure that air is available for the patient to use if he’s able. However, if respiration or heartbeat ceases to function normally, it is not a moral requirement to hook the patient up to a heart-lung machine. If the patient had a signed DNR order, then if there was a swelling in the throat such that the airway was blocked the order could morally be followed; I don’t believe (correct me if I’m wrong) that there would be a moral requirement to perform a surgical procedure to open the airway.
In the same way, we must provide food to a patient who is capable of eating. But what if the patient is not capable of eating? Is there a moral requirement to perform a surgical procedure to pipe food directly into the stomach through an incision in the abdomen? If there is, what distinguishes this case from respiration?
Thanks. My mom’s been talking to me about her DNR order.
I understand that there’s no moral requirement to do everthing possible to extend life. For instance, as long as the body is functioning normally, on could not morally arrange to withold air from a patient because it’s normal care to make sure that air is available for the patient to use if he’s able. However, if respiration or heartbeat ceases to function normally, it is not a moral requirement to hook the patient up to a heart-lung machine. If the patient had a signed DNR order, then if there was a swelling in the throat such that the airway was blocked the order could morally be followed; I don’t believe (correct me if I’m wrong) that there would be a moral requirement to perform a surgical procedure to open the airway.
In the same way, we must provide food to a patient who is capable of eating. But what if the patient is not capable of eating? Is there a moral requirement to perform a surgical procedure to pipe food directly into the stomach through an incision in the abdomen? If there is, what distinguishes this case from respiration?
Thanks. My mom’s been talking to me about her DNR order.