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ReSPECT Flexibility vs ADRT Rigidity — SCE Palliative Medicine MCQ

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HardLegal & Ethical FrameworkReSPECT Flexibility vs ADRT RigiditySCE Palliative Medicine

A capacitous patient wants emergency-care recommendations recorded but wishes to retain flexibility if her clinical circumstances change. She does not want to make a legally binding refusal. Which document best fits?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: C — A ReSPECT plan recording preferences and contextual clinical recommendations

ReSPECT is a shared summary of priorities and contextual clinical recommendations for a future emergency; it guides care but is not itself a legally binding refusal and should be reviewed as circumstances change. An ADRT can be binding when valid and applicable, an LPA appoints a future decision-maker, and an advance statement records preferences without becoming a binding refusal. A ReSPECT plan may record the existence of these documents, but it does not replace their distinct legal functions.

Reference: Resuscitation Council UK: ReSPECT: https://www.resus.org.uk/respect