1 Vital Organs and Unconscious State 1.
Name some very important organs that are not vital organs.
Skin, intestines, eyes, ears, nose, teeth, spleen, reproductive organs, appendix and colon 2.
List the functional description of all the normal vital organs, including today’s
exceptions. Brain- it controls most of the body’s complex functions including coordinating other organs, controlling voluntary and involuntary activities, memory and sensory perceptions. Liver- it filters blood thus removing toxins that build up and secret bile, which is necessary for digestion.
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2 Heart- it is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body, hence necessary for oxygenation, transport of nutrients to cells, and removing wastes through blood circulation. Lungs - they are responsible for introducing oxygen to blood and eliminating waste carbon IV oxide from blood. Kidneys- they filter out toxins from blood and also remove excess water from blood. Skin – it forms a protective cover throughout the body preventing entry of microorganisms, maintaining the integrity of the body and regulating body temperature. Intestines – they are responsible for digestion as well as absorption of nutrients and water from the respiratory tract. 3.
Is it possible to live without a vital organ? Why? Example?
It is impossible to lead a normal life without a vital organ. This is because these organs are essential in supporting life. Without any of the vital organs the survival rate is very minimal depending on the organ in question. For example, dialysis can help decrease mortality in kidney failure, whereas one can survive only for a few minutes without the brain. Despite a vital organ functioning for an extended period of time without other organs, none of the vital organs can maintain life on its own (Cioffi, 2016). The distinction between assisting and substituting vital organs. Bioethical analysis. Assisting vital organs includes the use of normal procedures, devices or medications in standard medical practice to support life or functioning of a vital organ. On the other hand, substituting a vital organ involves replacing the function of the dying or dysfunctional organ either by use of medical devices or transplant (Cioffi, 2016). The ethical approach to assisting vital organs is seen as standard medical practice as normal procedures, medications and devices are used to support life, hence considered as
3 necessary. However, substituting a vital organ is deemed extraordinary. It requires procedures and devices that totally replace organ function, including the involvement of surgeries and anesthesia, making it an unusual means of maintaining life (Cioffi, 2016). 4. o
Do the following practices assist or substitute the vital organ? Why? Dialysis – it substitutes the kidney as it carries out the functions of a healthy
kidney, including filtering waste and removing excess fluids from blood. o
Respirator – it assists by filtering out airborne contaminants such as
microorganisms, fumes and gasses, preventing their inhalation. o
Ventilator – It assists the lungs to move breathable air into and out of the lungs.
o
Tracheotomy – it substitutes the trachea as a hole is made into the trachea and
kept open for air passage into the lungs. o
CPR – it substitutes breathing and heart function for ventilation and blood
circulation in order to preserve brain function in emergency situations. 5.
Read and summarize ERD PART FIVE Introduction.
6.
Unconscious state: Definition. Unconscious state occurs when a person loses awareness of self, bodily sensations and
the surrounding, having incomplete to partially incomplete responsiveness to environmental stimuli. Unconsciousness can occur due to conditions such as hypoxia, traumatic brain injury, drug intoxication, low blood sugar and anesthesia among others. 7.
Clinical definitions of different states of unconsciousness: Compare and contrast Coma- in this state, one is totally unconscious and their eyes are closed, unaware of the
surrounding. There is no memory or response to pain.
4 Minimally conscious state- at this state, one is intermittently conscious and aware of their surroundings. They can be responsive, react to pain, and mumble words, hold objects and track movements with their eyes despite having periods of drowsiness and unresponsiveness. Persistent vegetative state- at this state a person is awake, breathes and does all the involuntary activities as the brain stem is still intact. However, they do not feel pain and are unaware of their surroundings and self. They can open and close eyes, cough, breathe and make facial movements. Brain death- In this state, a person has no brain activity hence cessation of all brain functions. There is no blood flow to the brain though the heart may continue beating on its own. 8.
Benefit vs Burden: bioethical analysis. Dealing with patients that are dependent on life supportive care can create a dilemma
based on the benefits of supporting life and the burdens it causes on the patient and family as a consequence. The bioethical explanations to withdrawing life-sustaining treatment based on their benefit or burden favors the outcomes of care. It is ethically permissible to withdraw care in cases where the burdens outweigh the benefits (Ursin, 2019).
5
References Cioffi, A. (2016). Distinguishing between Assisting and Substituting for Vital Organs. Ethics & Medics, 41(9), 1-2. https://doi.org/10.5840/em201641917 Ursin, L. Ø. (2019). Withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatment: Ethically equivalent? The American Journal of Bioethics, 19(3), 10-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/15265161.2018.1561961