Given the sliding-scale decisionmaking standard for patients with diminished competence …
A) No patient may justifiably refuse a noninvasive treatment
B) Only a clearly incompetent patient may justifiably refuse a noninvasive treatment
C) Only a clearly competent patient may justifiably refuse a noninvasive treatment
D) None of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The sliding-scale decisionmaking standard takes into account the degree of a patient's competence. In this standard, only a clearly competent patient has the right to refuse treatment. Therefore, option C is the best choice. Option A is incorrect because even patients with diminished competence have the right to refuse treatment. Option B is incorrect because it assumes that a patient who is not clearly incompetent does not have the right to refuse treatment, which is not necessarily true. Option D is incorrect because there is a correct choice in this question.

Given the Sliding-Scale Decisionmaking Standard for Patients with Diminished Competence