Ethical Issue Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Ethical Issue - Case Study Example Additionally, the principle of autonomy forbids health care providers from exerting pressure on patients to undergo procedures with they do not want performed on them. As such, exerting pressure or failing to give all the pertinent information that a patient requires may result in a breach of the ethical principle of autonomy (Butts and Rich, 2013). Additionally, the principle of autonomy also requires that the vulnerable population, such as the elderly be provided with adequate protection by those administering care to them. This is because they may not be able to understand the information that they require to make the right decision. Based on the facts of the case, it is clear that the principle of autonomy applies to Mr. Jones case in a number of ways. Firstly, the case shows that Mr. Jones, who is an elderly patient requires immediate attention from health care professionals so that his condition can be treated. The medical condition requires that the patient undergo an invasive procedure, such as inserting the tube in his stomach to enable him feed and gain weight. However, according to the principle of autonomy, it is important that the patient be given ample time and opportunity to make an informed decision as to whether or not to undergo the invasive procedure (Butts and Rich, 2013). Therefore, the health care providers adhered to this principle because they gave Mr. Jones ample time and the opportunity to decide whether to undergo an invasive procedure or not. For instance, after Mr. Jones had declined to undergo the treatment, one of the health care professional suggested that the patient be given enough time to make an informed decision, which adhered to the principle. The principle of autonomy also applied to this case because the situation required that the patient be provided with the necessary information to enable him makes an informed decision. Again it is clear from the fact of the case since the health care providers did give all the