Is informed consent always required in emergency life-saving interventions?

• A. Yes; always required.
• B. Only if the patient is conscious.
• C. Only if there is a written advance directive.
• D. No; implied consent is generally assumed for life-saving emergencies when the patient cannot consent and a delay would cause harm.

Answer: (D)

In emergency life-saving care, consent is not always required. When a patient is unable to consent and delaying treatment to obtain explicit permission would likely result in death or serious harm, clinicians proceed under implied consent, acting to preserve life. This approach reflects the assumption that most people would want life-saving help in such urgent situations, provided the care stays within the standard of medical practice and is only as invasive as necessary. If the patient later regains capacity, their wishes should guide any further care, including refusals or changes in treatment. Written advance directives can inform decisions, but in true emergencies there may not be time to consult them, and doctors rely on implied consent to ensure timely treatment.