A pre-hospital team manages a 40-year-old male who has sustained bilateral wrist lacerations in a self-harm attempt. Both radial arteries are transect...

Question

A pre-hospital team manages a 40-year-old male who has sustained bilateral wrist lacerations in a self-harm attempt. Both radial arteries are transected with pulsatile bleeding. After controlling haemorrhage bilaterally with wound packing and direct pressure, the patient becomes agitated and attempts to remove the dressings. He states he wants to die. Does the patient have the right to refuse treatment?

Accepted Answer

Capacity must be assessed - if the patient has capacity (understands the information, retains it, weighs it, and communicates a decision), he can refuse treatment even if the decision seems unwise; however, acute emotional distress, intoxication, or mental illness may impair capacity

Answer

The patient cannot refuse treatment under any circumstances in an emergency

Answer

The Mental Health Act must be used to detain and treat all self-harm patients

Answer

Only a psychiatrist can assess capacity in self-harm patients

Answer

All patients who self-harm lack capacity by definition

uk-dipimc MCQ (SBA): Capacity Assessment in Self-Harm