Tough To Face

Today a patient complained to me about their current illness. They have been in some sort of medical facility for months, and just came to the conclusion that they had had enough treatment and didn't want any more. He just wants to go home.

As their nurse it is my job to be their advocate, and I will always fight for what they want. But what do you do when you are beginning to question the mental status of the patient? When you start to notice that the patient is just the tiniest bit confused at times--some might say--wifty? I'm completely torn. They've already received so much treatment and have been through so much, it makes sense just to stay the course. But at the same time, I don't know if I could personally handle this type of long term illness, and I think I would just want to go home too.

Besides the moral wrestling match in my heart, I am most struggling with the realization that he may not be fully competent. The thing is, he doesn't realize he's a little confused, he's dead set on the fact he is right and knows exactly what he is talking about.

To take the ability to make treatment decisions away from him would kill his spirit.