At a motor vehicle crash involving a 13-year-old unconscious patient, with parents arriving later, what should you do?

• A. Treat the child at the scene and wait for the parents to arrive and give consent.
• B. Withhold treatment until the parents arrive and give you consent for treatment.
• C. Transport the child immediately and have the parents meet you at the hospital.
• D. Begin transport at once and have the parents meet you en route to the hospital.

Answer: (C)

In emergencies with a minor who is unconscious and cannot give consent, you treat under implied consent. Delaying care for parental consent would put the patient at risk, so you begin life-saving care immediately and arrange transport to a hospital. Having the parents meet you at the hospital is practical and lets them provide consent for ongoing treatment once they’re there, while the patient is already receiving critical care. Transporting now and coordinating with the parents to meet at the hospital minimizes delays and prioritizes the child’s safety. Waiting for parents to arrive or delaying treatment would not be appropriate in this life-threatening situation.