Question

Who has the legal right to refuse treatment?

1) Juanita, who is 98 years old and of sound mind
2) Christopher, who is 10 years old and of sound mind
3) Jane, who is 35, incompetent, and did not express her treatment wishes prior to becoming incompetent
4) Linda, who is 35, incompetent, and created a living will prior to becoming incompetent stating that she did not wish to be kept alive by artificial means

Answer 1

Adults who are of sound mind and have expressed their treatment wishes prior to becoming incapacitated have the right to refuse treatment. Minors are not considered competent to provide consent for themselves. In cases where individuals did not express their treatment wishes prior to becoming incompetent, the decision-making process may involve the court-appointed legal guardian.

Step-by-step explanation:

The legal right to refuse treatment varies depending on the individual's circumstances. In general, adults who are of sound mind and have expressed their treatment wishes prior to becoming incapacitated have the right to refuse treatment. This includes individuals like Juanita, who is 98 years old and of sound mind, and Linda, who is 35, incompetent, but created a living will stating that she did not wish to be kept alive by artificial means.

However, minors like Christopher, who is 10 years old, are not considered competent to provide consent for themselves, and their parents can provide consent on their behalf. In the case of Jane, who is 35, incompetent, and did not express her treatment wishes prior to becoming incompetent, the decision-making process may involve the court-appointed legal guardian.