An adult patient lacks capacity and repeatedly pulls at an essential intravenous line. Staff hold the patient’s arms briefly to prevent immediate harm. Which condition must apply for this action to be lawful under the Mental Capacity Act?
Correct answer: B. The action is necessary and proportionate to the risk
- A. The patient’s family has agreed to the action
- B. The action is necessary and proportionate to the risk
- C. The action is included in the ward’s routine policy
- D. The patient has previously been difficult to manage
Explanation
Restraint under the Mental Capacity Act requires the person to lack capacity for the relevant decision and the restraint to be necessary to prevent harm and proportionate to the likelihood and seriousness of that harm. Family agreement or a general policy does not by itself make restraint lawful. The least restrictive response should be used.
Report an error
The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.
Prefer email? support@testustad.com
About UK Law, Consent and Mental Capacity
UK consent and capacity law covers valid voluntary consent, adequate information, refusal of treatment, and the Mental Capacity Act principles for assessing decision specific capacity. It includes best interests decisions, least restrictive care, advance decisions and lasting powers of attorney, with capacity distinguished from mental illness, and legal capacity distinguished from clinical competence or mere agreement.
Practise UK Law, Consent and Mental Capacity
50 free UK Law, Consent and Mental Capacity MCQs from International Nursing Practice, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
Discussion
Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.
No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.
Exams that ask International Nursing Practice questions like this
International Nursing Practice is on this paper prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for it.
More UK Law, Consent and Mental Capacity questions
A patient lacks capacity to decide about a necessary procedure. The patient has no applicable advance decision and no health and welfare attorney. Which action is required?
A patient with a learning disability needs to consent to an examination. The patient understands simple explanations when pictures are used. What is the best nursing action?
Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 in England and Wales, which action best reflects the presumption of capacity?
In England, a patient with capacity tells the nurse, “I do not want my partner told about my diagnosis.” The partner asks for an update. What should the nurse do?
A patient has a valid and applicable advance decision refusing a specified life-sustaining treatment if the patient later lacks capacity. The patient now lacks capacity and the clinical situation matches the decision. What should the nurse do?
A 15-year-old in England understands the nature, purpose and consequences of a proposed minor procedure and wishes to consent. What is the most appropriate action?