If a patient regains capacity after an emergency, what should occur regarding ongoing treatment?

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When a patient regains decision-making capacity, their autonomy is restored and they must be involved in ongoing care. The appropriate step is to obtain explicit consent for continued treatment. This means offering a clear explanation of what is proposed, the benefits and risks, any alternatives, and the option to accept or refuse, then documenting the patient’s decision. Emergency decisions made under impaired capacity or by a surrogate do not automatically carry over; they should be revisited with the patient’s current preferences in mind. If there is an advance directive or previously stated wishes, those inform the discussion, but the patient’s present consent is still required. Deferring consent, stopping treatment without the patient’s current input, or continuing without re-consent would violate the patient’s autonomy and ethical standards.