A 78-year-old man with advanced metastatic lung cancer and severe COPD is admitted to ICU with community-acquired pneumonia and type 1 respiratory fai...

Question

A 78-year-old man with advanced metastatic lung cancer and severe COPD is admitted to ICU with community-acquired pneumonia and type 1 respiratory failure. He is currently on 60% oxygen via high-flow nasal cannula. His oncologist confirms he has a prognosis of weeks. The patient lacks capacity due to delirium. There is no advance decision to refuse treatment (ADRT) and no lasting power of attorney (LPA) for health and welfare. The ICU consultant believes intubation and mechanical ventilation would not be in the patient's best interests. Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, who makes the decision about whether to escalate to invasive ventilation?

Accepted Answer

The senior clinician responsible for the patient's care makes the best interests decision

Answer

The patient's next of kin makes the decision

Answer

An Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) must be appointed to make the decision

Answer

The hospital ethics committee must be convened before any decision is made

Answer

The Court of Protection must be consulted for all treatment limitation decisions

uk-fficm MCQ (SBA): Capacity and Best Interests