This article describes a family who could not agree to withdraw life support from a ventilator-dependent woman who was unresponsive and whose death was inevitable. Evidence-based recommendations are given and resources identified to assist critical care nurses to facilitate discussions among family members who disagree about end-of-life care and to help nurses discuss end-of-life orders, address cultural issues, manage family conflict, assist families to make decisions, and act with moral courage and ethical humility when supporting families and each other during withdrawal of life support.
展开▼
