A 45-year-old Jehovah's Witness with capacity refuses a blood transfusion after major bleeding. The team believes the transfusion would save her life. What should the doctors do?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Respect her informed refusal and provide every other treatment
- Step 1: A capacitous adult may refuse treatment, even if refusal leads to death. Step 2. An unwise decision does not by itself mean a lack of capacity, so her autonomy is respected while exploring alternatives such as cell salvage if she accepts it. Answer: Respect her informed refusal and provide every other treatment. Why not the others: Treating against a valid refusal amounts to battery. Relatives have no authority to override a capacitous adult. Unwise decisions are not evidence of incapacity under the Act.
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