Chapter 11

Question 1

senses of futility

Answer 1

1. treatments will not work (e.g. abx for cold)
2. quantitative futility: likelihood of success of a tx is extremely remote (e.g. CPR for severely debilitated/imminently dying pt)
3. qualitative futility: clinicians judge QOL after an intervention or the burdens of tx to be greater than benefits

Question 2

when is it appropriate for clinicians to refuse to treat?

Answer 2

1. benefit pts
2. be true to their own moral values
3. meet the interests of larger numbers of pts or the interests of greater society