Who has the Final Say Regarding a Patient's Fate?
Mrs. Cobb is a 56-year-old with advanced rheumatoid arthritis. Because of her disease, she is in a wheelchair. Three years ago, she appointed her twin sister, Elaine, as her health care proxy. She was admitted to the hospital in severe respiratory distress. Pneumocystis pneumonia is diagnosed and antibiotics are begun. Despite this, her condition worsens, and she is placed on mechanical ventilation after two days...
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