Ethical case study

Description

Preeti is a 25-year-old patient who has cardiac disease and is sixteen weeks pregnant. Preeti presents with worsening shortness of breath and the doctors are concerned that continuing the pregnancy is causing her heart condition to worsen and could result in a life-threatening emergency. When she was first diagnosed, Preeti had been counselled against getting pregnant because of the drugs she is taking which have teratogenic effects. The medical team has recommended termination of the pregnancy within the next five days. Preeti is reluctant to have the termination because she is afraid. She confides in the nurse and asks for advice. The nurse assigned to care for Preeti does not believe in abortion under any circumstance. The nurse believes that abortion is a “sin”.