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Capacity and refusal of treatment — DIPIMC MCQ

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HardScene Safety and MedicolegalCapacity and refusal of treatmentDIPIMCDipIMC

An adult involved in a road traffic collision has a normal GCS, is not intoxicated and declines transport to hospital despite your advice. He clearly understands and can retain the risks you have explained.

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

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Correct answer: A — Respect the refusal of a capacitous adult, document clearly and advise on red flags and how to recall help

An adult with capacity who understands, retains, weighs up and communicates a decision has the right to refuse treatment or transport, and the clinician's duty is to document this clearly and give safety-netting advice including red-flag symptoms and how to recall an ambulance. Transporting against his will or sedating him (A and B) would be an unlawful assault. Respect for autonomy in a capacitous patient is a legal as well as ethical obligation.

Reference: Mental Capacity Act 2005; JRCALC