Question

You are called to a rural home by the mother of a 4 year old girl. Upon arrival, you begin to treat a dog-bite wound on the girl's arm when the girl's father comes into the house and tells you to leave her alone. The mother asks you to continue your care of the child. Faced with the situation above, you should:

a) separate both parents from the child and sort our the consent issues
b) continue care of the girl in her mother's presence and notify police
c) call the children services division of the state for permission to continue care
d) immediately cease care of the child according to her father's wishes

Answer 1

In the given scenario, the professional should continue to provide care with the consent of the mother and notify the police due to the father's refusal, in order to protect the child's well-being and ensure legal protection for the caregiver.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a situation like this, ethical obligations and legal guidelines for medical professionals must guide the response. Although both parents can provide consent on behalf of their minor children, in an urgent situation where immediate care is necessary to preserve the health and safety of the child, such care should not be withheld. The professional may continue to provide care when one parent has granted consent, especially in the presence of that parent. However, not all circumstances are clear-cut, and medical providers must sometimes balance parental rights with the welfare of the child. If the situation escalates or there is disagreement that puts the child at risk or interferes with her right to receive care, it is important to involve law enforcement or other appropriate authorities. This can include notifying the police — to not only protect the rights of the child but also to protect the healthcare provider from legal repercussions.

Answer: b) continue care of the girl in her mother's presence and notify police.