In an emergency when parents are not present, who may consent for a minor child?

In an emergency when parents are not present, who may consent for a minor child?

• A. Parent for their child
• B. Aunt or uncle
• C. Grandparent for their grandchild
• D. Older sibling

Answer: (C)

In emergencies, the person who may consent for a minor is someone who has legal authority to act as the child’s guardian for medical decisions. A grandparent who has custody or guardianship over the grandchild can consent to treatment on the child’s behalf when the parents aren’t present. An aunt/uncle or an older sibling doesn’t automatically have that legal authority unless they’ve been designated as guardian or given a health care power of attorney. So, the grandparent is the best answer because they’re the one most likely to have the necessary legal authority to consent for the child in that situation.

In emergencies, the person who may consent for a minor is someone who has legal authority to act as the child’s guardian for medical decisions. A grandparent who has custody or guardianship over the grandchild can consent to treatment on the child’s behalf when the parents aren’t present. An aunt/uncle or an older sibling doesn’t automatically have that legal authority unless they’ve been designated as guardian or given a health care power of attorney. So, the grandparent is the best answer because they’re the one most likely to have the necessary legal authority to consent for the child in that situation.