Shannon Harris struggled with renal failure and was admitted to the hospital. His doctors advised him to receive a blood transfusion. Shannon Harris refused a blood transfusion because the procedure is contrary to his religious beliefs. The doctors reminded Shannon that a lack of the procedure could cause Shannon to die. While Shannon was in the hospital, he had to be resuscitated three times after a series of heart attacks. The doctors informed Shannon that, without a blood transfusion, his body would continue to fail. The doctors believed CPR for resuscitation, without a blood transfusion, would not help Shannon overcome the continued renal and heart failure. The doctors are obligated to continue CPR because Shannon refused a do-not-resuscitate order. Healthcare workers, like Shannon’s doctors, are faced with ethical dilemmas when patients refuse beneficial treatment and continue to use medical resources that will not change the outcome of their declining health.

1. Questions
2. Develop a succinct description of the ethical dilemma.
3. Pick and apply one ethical theory . What is the outcome of applying this theory?
4. Do you agree with this outcome? Explain.