Question

A 70-year-old man with advanced COPD is in hospital with an infective exacerbation. His daughter asks you to tell her everything about his prognosis but insists that you do not inform him that his condition is terminal, as she thinks this would upset him. The patient has capacity and has previously asked to be fully informed. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Tell the patient the full truth about his prognosis as he has requested

Answer

Respect the daughter's wishes and withhold information from the patient

Answer

Give only partial information to the patient and full details to the daughter

Answer

Discuss only with the nursing staff and avoid the family

Answer

Ask the daughter to sign a confidentiality agreement before you speak

Practice question