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Question 659
Clinical Management → Clinical Practice
Classification
Question
SSBAQuestion Header
Consent form 4
Question Stem
An adult woman lacks capacity and has severe menorrhagia. Hysterectomy is considered to be in her best interests. Which statement is correct?
Options
A
A relative must sign an ordinary consent form
B
Hysterectomy can never proceed because it causes infertility
C
A health professional may use consent form 4 if acting in her best interests
D
Her parents automatically acquire lasting power of attorney
E
The procedure is justified only by therapeutic privilege
Explanation
Sterilisation of a young woman lacking capacity requires a decision from the Court. By contrast, consent form 4 may be used for hysterectomy for menorrhagia in an adult woman lacking capacity if the health professional can demonstrate that the procedure is in the patient’s best interests.
Option Validity
A) Relatives cannot give consent on behalf of an adult who lacks capacity.
B) Hysterectomy for menorrhagia may proceed under consent form 4 when best interests are demonstrated; this differs from sterilisation in a young woman lacking capacity.
D) Parents do not automatically acquire lasting power of attorney; such authority must be arranged under the Mental Capacity Act framework.
E) This example is based on best interests and consent form 4, not therapeutic privilege.
Further Reading
Saxena MRCOG-1 Basic Sciences — Principles of Clinical Practice, printed p. 4.