-
101. Case: A Question from Family About Outcomes
View Case Study: 101. Case: A Question from Family About OutcomesYou are caring for a patient following a severe stroke. The attending physician has been very clear with the family that it is unlikely that the patient will survive and that, if he does, it will be with very significant impairments. Still, the family takes any movement or facial change as an indication that he…
-
97. Case: A Conversation About Vaccination with a New Parent
View Case Study: 97. Case: A Conversation About Vaccination with a New ParentYou are a nurse practitioner working in a family practice. A first-time parent brings their child in for a 2-month checkup. The parent seems nervous when vaccines are mentioned as a routine part of the appointment. You ask the parent specifically about vaccination, and the parent is hesitant. They say that they “can’t get idea…
-
96. Case: Surgery, Supported Decision Making and Capacity
View Case Study: 96. Case: Surgery, Supported Decision Making and CapacityAlex is a 27 year old resident in a supported living facility. She has a diagnosis of developmental delay. She is close with her younger brother, Anton. Alex has identified Anton as someone who helps her to make decisions. The organization that runs the facility where Alex lives has recently adopted a policy in favour…
-
93. Case: Mr. Rattan Wants to Stay
View Case Study: 93. Case: Mr. Rattan Wants to StayMr. Rattan has been a resident at Ocean Wind, a retirement community offering a range of options for accommodation, for the last ten years since his partner died. Currently he has a studio apartment in the assisted living wing, which provides assistance with ADLs. Mr. Rattan has been diagnosed with dementia. In the last few…
-
92. Case: End of Life with Dementia
View Case Study: 92. Case: End of Life with DementiaMr. Shah lives in a continuing care facility. A nurse recently commented; “My patient, Mr. Shah, has an advance directive that he wrote last year and that requests medical assistance in dying when he is no longer able to recognize his wife. His dementia has worsened quickly and recently he’s asked who his wife is…
-
90. Case: What is Best for Angela?
View Case Study: 90. Case: What is Best for Angela?Angela Flores is a six year old with some minor developmental delays caused by traumatic birth. She has recently been diagnosed with a brain tumor and her prognosis is poor. The health care team is trying to determine goals of care and a develop treatment plan. Angela lives with and is cared for by her…
-
88. Case: Whose Problem Is It?
View Case Study: 88. Case: Whose Problem Is It?Case substantially modified from “Obesity in Kids: When Appeals to Vanity Don’t Work,” Virtual Mentor 8(10): 377-380, October 2006 – see virtualmentor.ama-assn.org Nicholas has the option of spending the summer in an intensive weight reduction program at a health facility in Ontario. This highly regarded program accepts only 10 adolescents each summer, based on medical…
-
87. Case: Considering Alternatives
View Case Study: 87. Case: Considering AlternativesJessie Rockford is an 8-year-old with a history of developmental delay, significant cognitive deficits, and symptoms of cerebral palsy. She is her parents’ only child and they are very loving, attentive, and concerned–they never miss a medical appointment and have carefully followed the care plan drawn up for their daughter. However, with the passing of…
Case Repository
Category: Care for the Vulnerable
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
© © 2026 Nova Scotia Health Ethics Network.
All Rights Reserved.