Question

A 78-year-old man with dementia is admitted with pneumonia. You are asked to assess his capacity to consent to treatment with intravenous antibiotics. According to the Mental Capacity Act, which is the correct approach?

Accepted Answer

Assess whether he can understand, retain, use or weigh information and communicate a decision about this specific treatment

Answer

Assume he lacks capacity because he has dementia

Answer

Ask his family to decide for him

Answer

Rely on his GP to make the decision

Answer

Use age alone to determine capacity

Practice question

A 78-year-old man with dementia is admitted with pneumonia. You are asked to assess his capacity to consent to treatment with intravenous antibiotics. According to the Mental Capacity Act, which is the correct approach?