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Adolescent refusal of blood products — RACP Paediatrics MCQ

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HardAdolescent health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child health, ethicsAdolescent refusal of blood productsRACP Paediatrics

A 16-year-old Jehovah's Witness refuses blood products after major trauma. He is frightened but coherent; his parents support refusal. Haemoglobin is falling and surgery is likely. What is the most appropriate management?

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Correct answer: E — Assess decision-making capacity urgently and involve senior, ethics and legal support

A potentially life-saving treatment refusal by a minor requires urgent assessment of capacity, best interests, alternatives and legal/ethics input; emergency treatment may be justified depending on circumstances. Age alone does not settle capacity or the legal position. The pearl is that these cases should be escalated early rather than managed as a routine consent form issue.

Reference: RACP ethics resources; Australian medico-legal mature minor principles