This practical guidebook gives readers up-to-date medical information and knowledge of the major ethical issues in contemporary health care--so that they can respond to both in an appropriate manner. A user-friendly style makes this resource reference very accessible to those unfamiliar with medical and technical vocabulary. Coverage includes topics of higher-order pregnancies, issues of abortion, feeding tubes, and organ transplants. The author addresses these specific concerns, and also describes the duties and obligations of physicians, nurses, and other medical personnel--suggesting how these professionals should carry out their work, and what patients can expect from them. In addition, systematic issues in health care are analyzed, with an eye toward establishing an ethical health care delivery system in the United States. For directly involved patients, perhaps in the midst of a clinical crisis, or concerned observes who want to better understand what is at stake in health care ethics.