An 80-year-old man with moderate dementia and a Barthel Index of 10/20 falls in his care home. He sustains a proximal humeral fracture. He is in pain ...

Question

An 80-year-old man with moderate dementia and a Barthel Index of 10/20 falls in his care home. He sustains a proximal humeral fracture. He is in pain but refuses analgesia, pushing the nurse's hand away. He cannot explain why he is refusing. The nurse believes he lacks capacity for this decision. Under the MCA 2005, what should happen next?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should conduct a rapid capacity assessment; if he lacks capacity, analgesia should be given in his best interests to relieve pain, using the least restrictive method

Answer

Respect his refusal absolutely - he has the right to refuse treatment

Answer

Restrain him physically and administer the analgesia

Answer

Wait until a doctor is available (may be several hours)

Answer

Contact the Court of Protection for an emergency ruling

uk-dgm MCQ (SBA): Capacity Assessment for Analgesia Refusal in Dementia