A complication during a scheduled surgery means that a child patient is heavily bleeding and needs a blood transfusion. However the patient is a Jehovah's witness and the parents do not want the child to have a blood transfusion. What do you do?

Cannot do anything against the parents will as they have to give consent to anything that happens to the child. Obviously cannot wake up the child to check for competence as it is an emergency situation. So all you can really do is just advise the parents the implications of what will happen to their child if they do not allow the blood transfusion to happen. Mention that the child is at a severe risk of death.

DV
Answered by Daniel V. Medical School Preparation tutor

1538 Views

See similar Medical School Preparation Mentoring tutors

Related Medical School Preparation Mentoring answers

All answers ▸

Which medical schools should I apply for?


How can I prepare for my medical school interview?


How much work experience do I need?


I see you did a degree in Biomedical Sciences. Why do you want to be a doctor and not a Biomedical Scientist?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning