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?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In this scenario, the patient is no longer capable of refusing treatment due to his sudden cardiac arrest. Therefore, implied consent comes into play, giving the EMS provider the legal right to provide emergency care to the patient without his consent. The wife's begging for help is also a factor to consider. The EMS provider should focus on providing appropriate care and resuscitation measures to the patient to increase his chances of survival.

You Arrive on the Scene of a 55-Year-Old Male Patient