Case Study on Death and Dying Assignment

Case Study on Death and Dying Assignment 

Case Study on Death and Dying Assignment 

Nurses and other healthcare providers deal with diverse patients who suffer from different conditions; some terminal or chronic and have to make end-of-life decisions. The realities of death and suffering for human beings are a bitter and detestable part of life. The nature of one’s death is greatly influenced by different worldviews pacts one’s acceptance of their demise and suffering in this world. The Christian worldview advances that life is a precious and sacred gift from God and no one, irrespective of their medical and health condition should take away or contemplate conventional, scientific and medical ways of dealing with death (Bogue & Hogan, 2020). The Christian worldview differs from bioethics and explains the components of suffering, pain, and death. The Christian worldview has a different perception on issues related to death and euthanasia. The purpose of this paper is an analysis of George, a successful attorney who has been diagnosed recently by a degenerative condition, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and considers euthanasia to terminate his suffering and dependency linked to the terminal disease. The paper bases its analysis on the Christian worldview.

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George’s Interpretation of His Suffering in Light of the Christian Narrative with emphasis on Fallenness of the World

The Christian biblical narrative comprises of four parts that include creation, fall, redemption and restoration. The creation attributes God’s ability to form the world and everything in it. According to the creation account, God created man and allowed him to dominate all creations. However, man disobeyed God and fell leading to his suffering. When man ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, God pronounced judgment that entailed suffering, pain, disease, and death. As such, death came as a result of man’s disobedience (Hoehner, 2020). Therefore, the Christian worldview asserts that the fallenness of the world was an outcome of man’s disobedience and is the primary cause of all suffering and death the exists in the world today.

From a Christian perspective, George should interpret his diagnosis and suffering due to the terminal illness as part of the original sin committed by Adam and Eve. He should consider the diagnosis as part of normal living since God pronounced suffering and disease on man for his disobedience. George needs to understand that the terminal condition is not out of his wish or as not an aspect of punishment but a normal occurrence and part of living in this world as a Christian. The Christian worldview advances that George should know that he can only lose short-term aspects of his life and must interpret his present condition as with increased hope (Bogue & Hogan, 2020). He should interpret the suffering as a means to refine his spirit and temperance so that he can be close to God. George needs to understand that God has a plan for him, irrespective of his present condition and suffering. He must acknowledge that he is created in God’s image, all are equal before God, and find a purpose as suffering is not the end of life but an initial step in the transition to a better life after resurrection.

George’s Interpretation of Suffering Based on the Christian Narrative of Hope of Resurrection

The fallenness of the world brought suffering and God crafted a plan to ensure that all can be restored after redemption. According to the Christian worldview, suffering strengths individuals and gives hope that they will be restored after their traumas and pains. God’s redemption plan was through the death and subsequent resurrection of Jesus Christ. The hope of resurrection enables man to renew and restore his relationship and interactions with God (White, 2020). George needs to understand that through His death and resurrection, God through Jesus Christ gives hope, joy, peace and forgiveness of sins. Individuals suffering often forget that their situation could be for God’s manifestation and glory and may question Him on why they are in such conditions. Therefore, through resurrection, George can understand that there is always a light at the end of a tunnel after misfortunes and suffering. George needs to understand that suffering and even demise will make him closer to God and in death, he would find a better and peaceful place forever.

Christian teachings are emphatic that resurrection is for all believers when Jesus comes for the second time. Therefore, because of Jesus’s resurrection, George has the hope of resurrection of the dead on the final day. Resurrection demonstrates how Jesus defeated death and suffering (Stahl & Kilner, 2019). Therefore, George can concur his current suffering through the resurrection of the body and accession to a healthy and new body in heaven as promised by Jesus. The hope of resurrection implores George to change his focus from now to the future and understand that all pains and suffering in the world are only but temporary situations. George should transition his focus to defeat pain, suffering and the prospect of death as it is an inevitable thing for all people in the world. Therefore, resurrection will offer hope for change and a feeling that suffering will come to an end soon.

Value of Life as a Person

The Christian worldview is emphatic that life is a sacred gift from God and begins at conception. Further, by virtue of being created in God’s image, life should be protected, respected and dignified at all costs. Life has different aspects of Godliness and should not be arbitrarily ended by an individual. The value of human life is so special that no one should kill and God is the only one who can take life away. Human beings have a divine purpose for their existence; an aspect that makes life precious (Christman & Mueller, 2018). Therefore, the value of life is intrinsic because it is derived from God. The implication is that life’s value is not based on accomplishments of one’s contribution to society but on that fact that humans are ultimate creation of God.

Despite his present situation and condition, George must consider his life as a sacred and precious gift from God. His present suffering and the devastating nature of his condition should not lead him to despise life and consider taking it away through any means, including euthanasia. As a Christian, he must hold onto his faith and view his life as scared even through the suffering (Hoehner, 2020). George needs to understand that he is still valuable and with similar dignity before God like other people despite the current situation. George needs to embrace the fact that his pain emanates from the original sin and all people suffer in different ways as a consequence of the actions of Adam and Eve. Imperatively, George should hold onto his life to the last moments and enjoy the remaining time with his family. George should allow his body and spirit to give up naturally for effective transition to the next stage of his life.

Religious Perspective on Euthanasia: Values and Considerations for George

The Christian worldview abhors and forbids euthanasia as a way of ending suffering and even life of a human being. The primary value that supports this perspective is that life is a sacred gift from God. Secondly, human beings are made in God’s image and should preserve their lives while appreciating all that happens in their living (Frey & Blackwell, 2018). Death is a part of the processes of life as created by God. Therefore, Christians should respect all life processes; right from birth to death. The second consideration is that Christianity prohibits euthanasia as it a form of murder. George needs to realize that individual autonomy is a misconception as all people belong to God who gives them freedom and should be bound by set moral rules as well as values (Bogue & Hogan, 2020). These values and consideration are critical to help one decipher the difference between right and wrong when they face dilemma situations.

George should consider God’s plan for human beings as part of his creation and value the redemption and restoration aspects of the biblical narrative. George should understand that euthanasia will not offer a solution but only quicken his death (Christman & Mueller, 2018). There will be no honor in fastening his death as opposed to enduring the suffering. George must also consider that he has an intrinsic value by virtue of being created in God’s image as he can tell the good from the bad and possesses the ability to pursue the good. By proposing euthanasia, he undermines and undervalues the dignity of life as a sacred and precious gift from God.

Morally Justified Options

As observed, suffering and pain caused by terminal conditions or diseases ae part of life and as long as he breaths, life is still precious and sacred. George should not opt for euthanasia but wait till death comes naturally calling. He morally justified option is to live with hopes of overcoming the suffering eventually through death (Hoehner, 2020). George should not devalue life by opting for euthanasia. He should rather engage his physician to develop a care plan for him; especially palliative care, to reduce and relief the anticipated pain due to the condition. George should surrender to God and allow him to take control of the situation.

Decision if in George’s Situation

George’s situation is complex and requires an in-depth retrospection and reflection to arrive at the best decision. However, as a Christian, life is a sacred and precious gift from God that should be protected and preserved at all costs, irrespective of one’s pains and suffering. In this case, I would opt for palliative care if I were in his situation and not contemplate euthanasia. I would hope that even if the pain and suffering persist, they are only but temporary conditions. I will submit to God and hope that he heals me but adhere to the physician’s intervention despite the expected deterioration of my condition.

Conclusion

The case study demonstrates the need for health care providers, especially nurses, to have in-depth understanding of the different worldviews. The Christian worldview is emphatic that life is a precious gift from God and no one should take it away arbitrarily. The Christian worldview forbids and abhors euthanasia. Therefore, George should not contemplate euthanasia but allow God to take control of his condition. 

References

Bogue, D. W., & Hogan, M. (2020). Foundational issues in Christian spirituality and ethics. In

Grand Canyon University (Ed.), Practicing dignity: An introduction to Christian values and decision making in health care. Grand Canyon University.

Christman, S. & Mueller, J. (2018). Understanding Spiritual Care. Journal of Christian Nursing,

34(1), pp. E1-E7. DOI: 10.1097/CNJ.0000000000000350.

Frey, R. J., & Blackwell, A. H. (2018). Euthanasia. In J. L. Longe (Ed.), Gale virtual reference

            library: The Gale encyclopedia of nursing and allied health (4th ed.). Gale.

Hoehner, P. J. (2020). Death, dying, and grief. In Grand Canyon University (Ed.), Practicing

dignity: An introduction to Christian values and decision making in health care. Grand Canyon University.

Stahl, D. & Kilner, J. (2019). The Image of God, Bioethics, and Persons with Profound

Intellectual Disabilities. [online] Journal.joniandfriends.org

White, N. H. (2020). God, humanity, and human dignity. In Grand Canyon University (Ed.),

Practicing dignity: An introduction to Christian values and decision making in health care. Grand Canyon University.

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Topic 4: Death, Dying, And Grief
Assessment Traits
Requires Lopeswrite
Assessment Description
The practice of health care providers at all levels brings you into contact with people from a variety of faiths. This calls for knowledge and understanding of a diversity of faith expressions; for the purpose of this course, the focus will be on the Christian worldview.

Based on “Case Study: End of Life Decisions,” the Christian worldview, and the worldview questions presented in the required topic Resources you will complete an ethical analysis of George’s situation and his decision from the perspective of the Christian worldview.

Provide a 1,500-2,000-word ethical analysis while answering the following questions:

How would George interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative, with an emphasis on the fallenness of the world?
How would George interpret his suffering in light of the Christian narrative, with an emphasis on the hope of resurrection?
As George contemplates life with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), how would the Christian worldview inform his view about the value of his life as a person?
What sorts of values and considerations would the Christian worldview focus on in deliberating about whether or not George should opt for euthanasia?
Given the above, what options would be morally justified in the Christian worldview for George and why?
Based on your worldview, what decision would you make if you were in George’s situation?
Remember to support your responses with the topic Resources.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is required.

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.

Attachments
PHI-413V-RS-T4CaseStudyEndOfLifeDecisions.doc
Practicing Dignity: An Introduction to Christian Values and Decision-Making in Health Care

Read Chapters 4 from Practicing Dignity.

https://www.gcumedia.com/digital-resources/grand-canyon-university/2020/practicing-dignity_an-introduction-to-christian-values-and-decision-making-in-health-care_1e.php
Optional – Topic 4: Optional Resources

For additional information, see the “Topic 4: Optional Resources” that are recommended.

PHI-413V-RS-T4OptionalResources.docx
Euthanasia

Read “Euthanasia,” by Wells, Frey, and Cataldo, from Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health (2013).

https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/logi