Question

An 82-year-old woman with moderate Alzheimer’s disease has a displaced fractured neck of femur after a fall. She is intermittently disorientated but is able to describe the injury, understands that surgery carries anaesthetic and mortality risks, and consistently says she wants the operation so that she can walk again. Her son believes she lacks capacity and demands you proceed under best interests without discussing anything with her. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Assess her decision-specific capacity and, if she has capacity, respect her wish for surgery

Answer

Proceed with surgery under best interests and exclude her from the decision

Answer

Ask the son to sign a consent form on her behalf

Answer

Apply to the Court of Protection for permission to operate

Answer

Delay surgery until an independent mental capacity advocate (IMCA) is appointed

Practice question