Question

A 68-year-old man with known schizophrenia lacks mental capacity to consent to a necessary appendicectomy for acute appendicitis. There is no time to wait for capacity to improve. What principle from the Mental Capacity Act should guide your decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Decisions should be made in the patient’s best interests when they lack capacity

Answer

Assume no adult has capacity until proven otherwise

Answer

A relative with power of attorney may overrule all medical decisions

Answer

If a patient lacks capacity, do nothing without a court order

Answer

Capacity is judged on global intellect rather than the specific decision

Practice question

A 68-year-old man with known schizophrenia lacks mental capacity to consent to a necessary appendicectomy for acute appendicitis. There is no time to wait for capacity to improve. What principle from the Mental Capacity Act should guide your decision-making?