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Question 633
Clinical Management → Clinical Practice
Classification
Question
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Maternal refusal of treatment
Question Stem
A competent pregnant woman refuses Caesarean section despite being told that refusal may result in fetal death or serious harm. Which statement is correct?
Options
A
Caesarean section should be performed because fetal life overrides maternal refusal
B
A court order should routinely be obtained to compel treatment
C
A relative may consent on the woman’s behalf
D
Her refusal must be respected even if the baby may die or suffer serious harm
E
Treatment may proceed if two clinicians agree that it is necessary
Explanation
an unborn baby has little by way of legal rights and that a mother cannot be made to undergo unwanted treatment solely for the benefit of the child. It specifically states that a pregnant woman cannot be made to have Caesarean section even if the baby may die or suffer serious harm.
Option Validity
A) a pregnant woman cannot be compelled to undergo Caesarean section solely for fetal benefit.
B) This does not support routinely obtaining a court order to override a competent pregnant woman’s refusal.
C) A relative cannot override the competent woman’s refusal by consenting on her behalf.
E) Agreement between clinicians does not remove the woman’s right to refuse the procedure.
Further Reading
Saxena MRCOG-1 Basic Sciences — Principles of Clinical Practice, printed pp. 4–5.