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Capacity — USMLE Step 3 MCQ

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ModerateEthics, Patient Safety, Quality Improvement, Systems-Based PracticeCapacityUSMLE Step 3

A 73-year-old woman with mild dementia refuses antibiotics for pneumonia. She can describe her diagnosis, explain that untreated pneumonia could be fatal, state why she dislikes hospitalization, and consistently choose oral treatment at home. Which of the following is the most appropriate at this time?

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

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Correct answer: E — Respect her decision if she has decision-making capacity

Capacity is decision-specific and requires understanding, appreciation, reasoning, and communication of a choice; dementia does not automatically remove capacity.

Reference: AMA Code of Medical Ethics: Capacity