How should a caregiver handle a patient who refuses care?

• A. Coerce them to accept treatment
• B. Respect their decision, assess capacity, and involve the patient in decisions as appropriate, documenting consent or refusal.
• C. Ignore their preference to speed up.
• D. Contact authorities immediately

Answer: (B)

Respecting a patient’s autonomy and ensuring informed consent when they refuse care.

When a patient declines treatment, the caregiver should first determine if the patient has the capacity to make that decision. Capacity means the patient can understand the information, appreciate the consequences, communicate a clear choice, and weigh options. If they are capable, support their decision, involve them in decisions about their care as appropriate, and document the refusal and any voluntary consent given. This approach protects the patient’s rights and ensures care aligns with their preferences. Coercion is inappropriate and can be legally and ethically wrong, while ignoring a patient’s wish to hurry things along can erode trust and violate rights. Authorities would only be involved in emergencies or if the patient lacks capacity and there are applicable legal processes or advance directives to follow. If capacity is lacking, involve a surrogate decision-maker per policies and laws, and document the decision-making process.