In an emergency situation, what should a doctor do to preserve the life of an adult who is unconscious and may lack capacity?
A. Assess their capacity again to see if they can understand the treatment that is needed.
B. Proceed with the life-saving treatment as this is allowed under common law for someone who lacks capacity.
C. Speak to a relative of the individual and ask them to consent to the treatment going ahead.
D. Do nothing until an assessment of capacity has been completed, even if this endangers the life of the individual.
Answer (2)
In emergencies involving unconscious adults, doctors may proceed with life-saving treatment without consent due to the necessity of preserving life. Waiting for capacity assessment or seeking relative consent could lead to detrimental outcomes. Thus, acting promptly is paramount in such cases. ;
In an emergency involving an unconscious adult lacking capacity, a doctor should proceed with life-saving treatment without prior consent, following common law principles. This is critical as waiting for consent or assessing capacity could endanger the individual's life. Therefore, the correct choice is to proceed with treatment immediately.
;
