If a patient refuses care, you should:

• A. Proceed with care anyway
• B. Carefully document refusal of care
• C. Force care
• D. Ignore the refusal

Answer: (B)

When a patient is capable of making their own medical decisions, they have the right to refuse treatment. The important steps are to clearly ensure they understand what they’re declining, offer what help you can (including transport if appropriate), and then document the refusal thoroughly. Documentation should capture exactly what was explained to the patient, the patient’s stated decision, any questions asked and answered, the patient’s level of understanding, and who witnessed the refusal. This protects both the patient’s autonomy and your liability, and it provides a clear record in case the patient’s condition changes later.

If the patient lacks capacity (confused, intoxicated, or altered), or if the patient is a minor or otherwise not able to consent, you would follow different protocols (seek guardianship/permission, involve medical control, or pursue appropriate care as dictated by policy). Forcing care or ignoring a refusal is not appropriate when the patient is competent to decide.