Mental Capacity Act

Question 1

What are the five key principles of the mental CAPACITY act?

Answer 1

1. ASSUMED to have capacity unless proven otherwise
2. SUPPORTED to make decision, inc in diffways
3. right to make UNWISE decisions
4. anything done for you must be in BEST INTERESTS
5. anything done for you must be LEAST RESTRICTIVE OPTION

Question 2

What age group does the Mental Capacity Act apply to?

Answer 2

over 16s.

Question 3

To have capacity, you have to be able to understand, retain, weigh up, and communicate (for a SPECIFIC decision). How many of these have do you have to able to do to have capacity?

Answer 3

ALL

if cant do one - not capacitous

Question 4

What is a court appointed deputy?

Answer 4

like lasting power of attorney but just for one decision

court of protection

Question 5

Basic care is different to medical treatment. What does basic care involve??

Answer 5

pain relief, shelter, warmth, hygiene,

ORAL food and fluids

Question 6

Does artificial feeding constitute basic care?

Answer 6

NO

Question 7

What are the three forms of advanced care planning? (for people who’s health is deteriorating and soon may no longer be able to make capacitous decisions)

Answer 7

1. advance statement / directive
2. advanced decision to refuse treatment (living will)
3. lasting power of attorney

Question 8

Advanced care planning can be:

1. advanced statement / directive
2. advanced decision to refuse treatment
3. lasting power of attorney.

Which ones of these are just to advise the medical team, and which ones are legally binding?

Answer 8

legally binding =
advanced decision to refuse treatment
lasting power of attorney

Question 9

In patients with dementia, does a PEG tube

a) extend life?
b) improve QoL?

Answer 9

no and no