An ICU nurse raises concerns that a family member is coercing a capacitous patient to refuse treatment. What should the team do?...

Question

An ICU nurse raises concerns that a family member is coercing a capacitous patient to refuse treatment. What should the team do?

Accepted Answer

Assess the patient independently from the family member - speak to the patient alone to determine their true wishes; if the refusal is not voluntary due to coercion, it may not be a valid autonomous decision

Answer

Accept the refusal without investigation

Answer

Override the refusal

Answer

Involve the police

Answer

Discharge the patient

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Coercion and Refusal

An ICU nurse raises concerns that a family member is coercing a capacitous patient to refuse treatment. What should the team do?