Question

A 68-year-old woman with advanced dementia is admitted with aspiration pneumonia and poor nutritional status. The team considers a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube, but she lacks capacity to decide. There is no advance decision. According to GMC guidance, how should the decision be made?

Accepted Answer

Make a best interests decision, considering her values and consulting those close to her

Answer

Ask her eldest child to make the decision as next of kin

Answer

Proceed with PEG without discussion because it is clinically possible

Answer

Refuse PEG automatically because she lacks capacity

Answer

Apply to the court in every such case before deciding

Practice question