Which is not a characteristic of Medicare?

A) The client's spouse: This choice suggests that the client's spouse has the authority to give permission for a DNR order. In most cases, it is the competent client themselves who has the authority to make decisions about their own medical treatment, including DNR orders. Spouses may have a say and their input is considered, but the ultimate decision typically lies with the competent client.

B) The client's only child: This choice suggests that the client's only child can give permission for a DNR order. Similar to the explanation for choice A, the decision-making authority for a DNR order generally rests with the competent client, not their child. However, a client may choose to discuss their medical decisions with their child and take their wishes into consideration.

C) The client: This choice correctly identifies that the competent client themselves is the one who typically has the legal and ethical authority to make decisions about their medical treatment, including DNR orders. This is based on principles of autonomy and respect for the individual's wishes.

D) Any close blood-related relative: This choice suggests that any close blood-related relative has the authority to give permission for a DNR order. Similar to choices A and B, the decision-making authority is typically with the competent client. While family members' input is valuable and should be considered, they do not have the ultimate decision-making power for the client's medical treatment.

Collect the data and consider the alternatives: This step involves gathering all relevant information about the situation and identifying possible courses of action. It's essential to have a clear understanding of the problem and the available options before making a decision. However, this is not typically the very first step in the ethical decision-making process, as collecting data often precedes considering alternatives.

Collect, analyze, and interpret the data: This is the correct first step in the ethical decision-making process. It emphasizes the importance of systematically gathering information, analyzing it to identify ethical concerns, and interpreting the data to understand the ethical implications.

Collect data and consider the consequences of the actions: While considering the consequences is a crucial part of ethical decision-making, it usually comes after collecting and analyzing the data. It's important to evaluate the potential outcomes of each alternative once you have a clear grasp of the ethical issues involved.

Collect the data and make a decision: Making a decision is the final step in the ethical decision-making process. While data collection is an essential part of the process, making a decision should follow a careful analysis and consideration of the ethical implications. Jumping straight to a decision without thorough analysis can lead to unethical choices.