A 68-year-old man with capacity and chronic anaemia due to gastrointestinal bleeding is a Jehovah’s Witness. He presents with haemoglobin of 55 g/L an...

Question

A 68-year-old man with capacity and chronic anaemia due to gastrointestinal bleeding is a Jehovah’s Witness. He presents with haemoglobin of 55 g/L and symptomatic dyspnoea. He understands the risks and benefits and firmly refuses blood transfusion on religious grounds. What is the most appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Respect his refusal and optimise non-blood management, such as iron and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, documenting the discussion

Answer

Apply to the court to override his refusal in his best interests

Answer

Transfuse blood in an emergency without telling him, as life is at risk

Answer

Ignore his wishes because they are based on religious beliefs

Answer

Detain him under mental health legislation to allow transfusion

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Capacity and refusal of life-saving treatment