Author Question: An 80-year-old woman has been admitted to the emergency department after a sudden loss of ... (Read 205 times)

madam-professor · **on:** Jul 8, 2018

An 80-year-old woman has been admitted to the emergency department after a sudden loss of consciousness and computed tomography indicates a serious ischemic stroke. The patient's son is adamant that the patient would not want thrombolytic therapy.

The son would have the right to refuse this treatment on his mother's behalf if

A) there is a reasonable belief that such a treatment would not result in improved outcomes for
the patient.
B) a durable power of attorney for healthcare names the son as a healthcare proxy.
C) the son is able to show evidence that his mother was legally incompetent prior to her stroke.
D) there is unanimity among other immediate family members.

Question 2

Mr. Yamata was recently admitted to the hospital after a fall in which he suffered a fracture of his femoral head. Over the past 2 days, he has begun to refuse care.

Which of the following
factors is most significant in the determination of Mr. Yamata's legal competence to refuse
care?

A) Mr. Yamata was recently diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer disease.
B) Mr. Yamata defers most of his important decisions to his oldest son.
C) Mr. Yamata has previously expressed a preference for complementary and alternative
therapies.
D) Mr. Yamata attempted to transfer to the commode independently, despite the nurse's
instructions to the contrary.

dyrone · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 8, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Ans: B
A durable power of attorney for healthcare (DPOA-Healthcare) is a document that
legally designates a substitutionary decision maker, should the person be incapacitated. This
document may also be referred to as designating a healthcare proxy. Previous disabilities, the
agreement of other family members and a low likelihood of benefit are not factors that confer
legal rights for surrogate decision-making.

Answer to Question 2

Ans: A
Cognitive ability is an important consideration in the determination of competence.
The patient's preference of alternative therapies, his previous reckless behaviors, and his
deference to his son are not factors that would significantly affect his legal competence.