Question

EMS is called to the scene of a motor vehicle collision​ (MVC). The patient is a​ 16-year-old female who recently got her license. She struck another vehicle in the school parking lot while trying to find a parking spot. She is​ conscious, alert, and​ oriented, and was wearing a seatbelt. She has no injuries or complaints and is more embarrassed about the event as her friends saw the accident. She is refusing treatment and transport. The EMT knows​ that:

A.
the principal of the school can make decisions for treatment and transport of students.
B.
they should perform an​ assessment, clearly document that there are no​ injuries, and allow the patient to refuse care.
C.
if the​ patient's custodian cannot come to the scene and sign the​ refusal, they will have to transport the patient to the ED.
D.
they can have the patient call her mother on the​ squad's cell phone and allow the crew to speak to her. If the mother agrees to the​ refusal, the patient can sign for herself and EMS can document that the mother agreed via cell phone.

Answer 1

EMTs should document a minor patient's refusal of treatment after an assessment and involve the parent or guardian, allowing for refusal consent via phone if necessary.

Step-by-step explanation:

When EMS is called to the scene of a motor vehicle collision (MVC) involving a 16-year-old female who is conscious, alert, and oriented, and is refusing treatment and transport, the EMT knows that legally, a minor generally cannot refuse care. However, if the patient is alert and appears to have the capacity to understand the consequences of refusing care, the EMT should perform an assessment and document the refusal. It's important to involve the patient's parent or guardian. The EMT may have the patient call her mother on the squad's cell phone and, if the mother consents to the refusal, document that the mother agreed via phone. The patient can sign for herself in the presence of the EMTs as witnesses.