Question

You arrive on the scene of a 55-year-old male patient. The patient's wife called 911 because he is having chest pains. The patient is very angry with his wife for calling 911 because he states he only has heartburn and adamantly refuses any treatment or transport. After signing the patient refusal form, the patient collapses and goes into sudden cardiac arrest. The wife is crying uncontrollably and begging you to do something. What should you do?

A. Explain to the wife that her husband signed a legal document refusing care, and if you intervened to help him now, you would be breaking the law.
B. Provide emergency care under implied consent.
C. Provide emergency care for the patient only if his wife signs a document stating they will not sue the EMS service.
D. Respect his legal right to not have any treatment, regardless of how much the wife begs you to help.

Answer 1

When faced with a patient who refuses treatment but then collapses and goes into sudden cardiac arrest, it is important to prioritize the patient's life and provide emergency care under implied consent.

Step-by-step explanation:

When faced with a patient who refuses treatment but then collapses and goes into sudden cardiac arrest, it is important to prioritize the patient's life above all else. Option B, providing emergency care under implied consent, is the most appropriate response in this situation. Implied consent means that the patient's refusal of treatment is no longer valid when they are unconscious and unable to make decisions for themselves. It is crucial to begin CPR immediately to increase the chances of survival for the patient.