Dr. Goldstein’s case
Q1. If Ed is not placed on a ventilator, what will happen to him?
If Ed was not placed on ventilator, he would certainly die within few days.
Q2. Was it ethical and appropriate for Dr. Goldstein to call Bert? Was Ed no longer able to take care of himself? Who makes that judgment?
Yes, it was ethical and appropriate to call the patient’s family member, Bert. Ed, because of his poor health, his hearing problem, and primarily, he being mentally retarded, he did not seem to be in a position to even understand what is happening ...