Introduction The following principles are intended to be applied only to a variety of individual situations you may face on the USMLE Capacity, Competence, and Consent Capacity vs competence login to view 2 more bullets Assessing capacity login to view 4 more bullets Competent patients have the right to refuse medical information and medical treatment(s) login to view 2 more bullets Assume that the patient is competent unless login to view 3 more bullets Obtain informed consent login to view 22 more bullets End-of-Life Issues If the patient cannot make decisions, surrogate decision makers must use the following criteria: login to view 13 more bullets Euthanasia login to view 3 more bullets When treatment should stop login to view 4 more bullets Code status login to view 3 more bullets Confidentiality Confidentiality between physician and patient is generally absolute login to view 11 more bullets Minors Minors cannot give informed consent unless emancipated through: login to view 4 more bullets A minor's refusal of treatment can be overruled by a parent Parents cannot withhold life- or limb-saving treatment from their children, but can refuse other treatments Examples login to view 12 more bullets Other Principles Avoid going to court Use trained medical interpreters when possible Committed mentally ill patients retain their rights Never abandon a patient login to view 1 more bullet Disclose all errors, regardless of harm login to view 1 more bullet Directive counseling should be performed when patients need guidance to make a choice that is clearly superior Child and Elder Abuse If suspected abuse is occurring, physicians are mandated reporters and MUST report