Question

An 82-year-old woman with advanced Alzheimer’s dementia is admitted with a severe community-acquired pneumonia. She is disorientated, unable to understand the nature of her illness or proposed treatment, and repeatedly pulls out her intravenous cannula. Her son insists on ‘signing the consent form’ on her behalf. What is the most appropriate approach to consent for antibiotics and IV fluids?

Accepted Answer

Proceed with treatment in her best interests after a capacity assessment, involving her son in discussions

Answer

Ask her son to sign the consent form as her legal surrogate decision-maker

Answer

Delay treatment until an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) can attend

Answer

Respect her apparent refusal and withhold antibiotics

Answer

Apply to the Court of Protection before starting any treatment

Practice question