Mental capacity

Question 1

4 components to capacity

Answer 1

Understand
Retain
Deliberate
Communicate

Question 2

What test to use when testing capacity

Answer 2

2 stage test

Question 3

Stage 1 in 2 stage test

Answer 3

Stage 1: a person lacks capacity if he/she is unable to make a specific decision due to a disturbance in the functioning of the mind or brain.
The first stage of this assessment is that there needs to be evidence that the person has a disturbance of their mind or brain which is affecting the functioning of their mind or brain. This may be a temporary or permanent disturbance due to physical or psychological or other reasons.

Question 4

Stage 2 in 2 stage test

Answer 4

Stage 2: a person is unable to make a decision if they are unable to:
Understand
Retain
Deliberate
Communicate

Question 5

When can restraint be used

Answer 5

The most common scenario is someone with some risk behaviour wanting to leave the ward. You can restrain (including physical restraint) the individual using the MCA as long as they lack capacity and the restraint is required to protect the individual in question from harm.

Question 6

If someone has no lasting power of attorney, can a relative give consent on behalf of them

Answer 6

no- can only ask relative to find out the views of the patient so you can act in their best interests

Question 7

What is an advanced directive

Answer 7

A patient can sign a document saying that if they end up having no capacity, they can refuse from now to have life saving treatment when they no longer have capacity.