Am I on the right track with these MMI scenarios?

[deleted993098]

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1. Jehova's Witness: If over 18, then you respect their right to refuse blood transfusions. If under 18, then try to speak to the parents, if that fails, then you give the transfusion. If unconscious with signed card, then same thing applies. That is, nothing for over 18, transfusion for under 18. I see that the age 16 is mentioned online as being an adult, but I'm assuming this is with Canada and not the U.S.?
2. Abortion: If someone under 18 asks for an abortion, do you refer to the local state laws?

 

[premeddestiny]

Jehova's Witness: If over 18, then you respect their right to refuse blood transfusions. If under 18, then try to speak to the parents, if that fails, then you give the transfusion. If unconscious with signed card, then same thing applies. That is, nothing for over 18, transfusion for under 18. I see that the age 16 is mentioned online as being an adult, but I'm assuming this is with Canada and not the U.S.?

You're on the right track, but consider the situation if the person you are trying to transfuse blood into is a minor (think a 9 y/o) in an emergent situation.

EDIT: Also add a JW with dementia who doesn't have an advance directive, or an unconscious patient whose friend tells you that he or she is a JW.

 

[deleted993098]

You're on the right track, but consider the situation if the person you are trying to transfuse blood into is a minor (think a 9 y/o) in an emergent situation.

EDIT: Also add a JW with dementia who doesn't have an advance directive, or an unconscious patient whose friend tells you that he or she is a JW.

For the 9y/o, I assume you transfuse immediately.

For dementia, do we refer to the designated caregiver? If there isn't one and there is an emergency, I assume we transfuse.

 

[Cornfed101]

So I am thinking about this from the perspective of a parent. Does this basically mean that a physician will always do whatever they think is best for your child even if it's not what you, as the parent, think is best? I don't really like the sound of that.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

You can get a court order to transfuse a minor if parents refuse. In an emergency, you have to decide if you can let a child bleed to death or go against parents wishes and assault the child with a transfusion. This is why they ask this question to see how you would react.

 

[deleted993098]

So I am thinking about this from the perspective of a parent. Does this basically mean that a physician will always do whatever they think is best for your child even if it's not what you, as the parent, think is best? I don't really like the sound of that.

I think this is mostly for life/death scenarios. For something like a vaccine, it cannot be forced (even if it is for the best). But emergency blood transfustion or death, I think the phsyician can take authority over the child.