ModerateEthics & ProfessionalismMental capacity and best interestsuk-plab-1
A 72-year-old woman with advanced Alzheimer’s disease is admitted with hypoxic pneumonia requiring urgent intravenous antibiotics and fluids. She is disorientated, cannot explain the illness or treatment, and repeatedly pushes staff away. Her son says, ‘Just do whatever is needed, doctor’. What is the most appropriate action?