You have been called for a 72-year-old woman with chest pain. On scene, the patient denies ever having chest pain and requests to sign a refusal. Before having the refusal signed, the paramedic must consider that many geriatric patients may deny symptoms because of:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Many geriatric patients may deny symptoms because of fear of losing independence and dignity. It is important for the paramedic to assess the patient's decision-making capacity and ensure that the patient is making an informed decision to refuse treatment or transport. The paramedic should also document the patient's refusal and educate the patient on the potential risks of refusing care.

You Have Been Called for a 72-Year-Old Woman with Chest