Ethical dilemmas in intensive care--a case history

The decision either to withdraw or to continue treating a patient, may often be the source of both ethical and moral dilemmas for the health care professionals involved in that decision. Within the context of an intensive care environment these issues become even more significant as the patient's quality of life is determined by another individual. This case study reviews both the ethical principles that are involved in the decision making process, and the measurement of an individual's quality of life. By focusing on two patients in different situations the ethical problems that nurses face in intensive care are highlighted.