Islamic moral judgement on resuscitation issue: nursing perspective
The primary goals of resuscitation are to preserve life, restore health, relieve suffering and limit disability. As nurses, executing the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to a patient experiencing cardio-pulmonary arrest is essential in preserving life. However nurses face a dilemma in the deci...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Kulliyyah of medicine and IIUM Press
2018
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/67453/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/67453/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/67453/1/Islamic%20moral%20judgement%20on%20Resuscitation.pdf |
| Summary: | The primary goals of resuscitation are to preserve life, restore health, relieve suffering and limit disability.
As nurses, executing the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to a patient experiencing cardio-pulmonary
arrest is essential in preserving life. However nurses face a dilemma in the decision making to either
preserve the patient’s life or let the patient die naturally, if the patient’s autonomy as well as his family’s
wish for a “do not resuscitate (DNR)” order. In this dilemma, the sanctity of life and the right to die is the
main concern of this discussion. Islamic moral judgment, as the major concern here, should be studied as
an alternative to analyse and provide a guideline that is in accordance with the Islamic teaching. Thus, this
research is to provide the Islamic moral judgment on the resuscitation issue and its implication in nursing
practices. The western ethics that represent the current practices on resuscitation is not included. The
comparison was then made with the ultimate origin of Islamic teaching ie the Qur’an and Sunnah, as well as
the notions of Muslim scholars on the subject. As the physician opines that CPR is to be beneficial to rescue
a life, therefore refusing it may be considered as immoral. However, the DNR order is entirely acceptable if
the doctor believes that CPR is futile and gives no benefit to the patient. The doctor has the authority to
issue a DNR order if he is certain that the patient would not benefit from CPR without getting consent from
the patient or his relative. Nursing implications: As nurses facilitate patients and family members in
forming a decision about end of life hence engaging a comprehensive view of DNR based on Islamic teaching
would provide an informed choice when advising a Muslim patient and family. The area to investigate would
be on the degree of knowledge among nurses regarding the Islamic moral judgement on this matter is highly
recommended for future management. |
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