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Question 632
Clinical Management → Clinical Practice
Classification
Question
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Emergency treatment in an adult lacking capacity
Question Stem
An adult who lacks capacity develops an immediately life-threatening condition. There is no time to obtain a court order. What is the most appropriate course ?
Options
A
Delay treatment until a court order is obtained
B
Ask a relative to provide consent
C
Give necessary emergency treatment and, where possible, obtain a second opinion
D
Ask a carer to sign consent form 4 as the decision-maker
E
Withhold treatment because consent cannot be obtained
Explanation
emergency treatment can be given without a court order when an adult lacks capacity. It adds that it is sensible to obtain a second opinion. Relatives and carers cannot themselves give consent on the patient’s behalf.
Option Validity
A) emergency treatment without a court order when delay is not possible.
B) relatives and carers cannot give consent on behalf of an adult lacking capacity.
D) A carer is not the decision-maker and cannot make consent form 4 valid by signing it.
E) Lack of capacity does not require withholding necessary emergency treatment.
Further Reading
Saxena MRCOG-1 Basic Sciences — Principles of Clinical Practice, printed p. 4.