An infant who has been in foster care since birth requires a blood transfusion. Who is authorized to give written, informed consent for the procedure?
A. The nurse-manager
B. The registered nurse caring for the infant
C. The social worker who placed the infant in the foster home
D. The foster mother
Correct Answer: D. The foster mother
When children are minors and aren’t emancipated, their parents or designated legal guardians are responsible for providing consent for medical procedures. Therefore, the foster mother is authorized to give consent for the blood transfusion. Foster carers do not have parental responsibility but should have delegated authority/decision-making power for consent for most treatments.
Option A: The nurse manager has no legal right to give consent in this scenario. Each situation is different but as a rule foster carers should be able to sign consents for routine medicals, eye and sight tests, and routine dental examinations.
Option B: The nurse has no legal right to give consent in this scenario. Foster carers should be given delegated authority wherever possible to consent to immunizations and the placement plan should clarify who can give consent in a medical emergency.
Option C: The social workers have no legal rights to give consent in this scenario. It is important that foster carers understand their responsibilities around health care, medical treatment, and consent so that they can support a child’s physical, mental, and emotional health.