skip to main content

Advance decision — DGM MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardEthics and lawAdvance decisionDGM

An 82-year-old woman with motor neurone disease presents with aspiration pneumonia and lacks capacity. Her notes mention an advance decision refusing ventilation, but staff have not seen the document. Her family are unsure of the wording. Current medicines include riluzole. What is the most appropriate assessment?

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

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C — Establish validity and applicability of the advance decision

An advance decision must be checked for validity and applicability to the current treatment and circumstances. Ignoring it, assuming broad coverage, allowing relatives to overrule it and treating it as DNACPR misunderstand the legal framework. Advance decisions are treatment-specific.

Reference: Mental Capacity Act 2005; GMC end-of-life guidance