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Capacity Dispute Between Patient and Family

MMIHard
Role Play & Communication · 8 minSelf-marked
All free questions
How to use this: start the timer and answer the question out loud (or type it). Then grade yourself 0–3 on each skill with a note of your evidence — exactly as our examiners do. Hit Reveal benchmark & score to see what a model answer scores and how you compare. Everything saves to your browser automatically.
Answer timer
8:00/ 8 min suggested
1

Answer the question

Capacity Dispute Between Patient and Family

An 82-year-old woman with mild cognitive impairment has decided to refuse a recommended hip replacement after a fall. Her son is furious — he insists she lacks capacity, that "she'd agree if she understood", and demands you proceed against her wishes. How do you handle the conversation with the family while protecting the patient?

Likely follow-ups
1

What are the four functional elements of capacity, and how do you assess them in this scenario?

2

Why is "she'd agree if she understood" not a basis for overriding refusal?

3

How do you keep the son engaged as a future support person rather than alienating him?

Your answer

Speak it out loud and we'll type it for you (free), or type your own notes — then mark yourself below.

Resources & frameworks
  • SPIKES for breaking bad news: Setting, Perception, Invitation, Knowledge, Empathy, Strategy.
  • Listen → empathise → check understanding → agree a plan together. Calm voice, no jargon.
MMI medical schools (AU)→CASPer & Snapshot guide→NSW Capacity Toolkit (Attorney General)Medical Board — Good Medical Practice (Capacity and Consent)Office of the Public Advocate (Victoria) — Capacity ResourcesSee all 1000+ questions on Prometheus→
What strong answers do

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2

Mark yourself

Score each skill against the rubric, then add a line of evidence. Scale:

0Not shown1Limited2Good3Excellent
Quick mark:Completion: 0%

Ethics

0/3

Protects right to make unwise decisions, distinguishes functional capacity from outcome agreement

Communication

0/3

Keeps the family engaged while protecting the patient

Healthcare Knowledge

0/3

Accurate on the four functional elements of capacity

Insight

0/3

Recognises that today's family relationship is tomorrow's safety net

3

Reflect & score

What would you change next time?
Your overall score / 10
Total: 0/12
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