A Patient Is Transported to an Emergency Room in a Coma

A patient is transported to an emergency room in a coma. Her condition rapidly deteriorates--but because of her mental status--she cannot actively agree to receive health care. Under a circumstance like this, which of the following reflects the most accurate statement of the obligations of health care professionals?

A) The patient is not awake, cannot grant consent for treatment, and cannot ethically be treated.
B) The patient's presence in the emergency department shows that consent for treatment is implied. Her doctors and nurses can initiate care for the patient using their own best judgments.
C) A judge must decide if the patient can be treated.
D) Family members must be found, and consent obtained, in order to initiate treatment.