Several children arrived at the Emergency Department accompanied by only their fathers. The nurse knows that the father who legally may sign emergency medical consent for treatment is:

Question

1. The divorced one from the binuclear family.

2. The stepfather from the blended or reconstituted family.

3. The divorced one when the single-parent mother has custody.

4. The non-biologic one from the heterosexual cohabitating family.

Answer 1

1

Rationale:

1. The divorced father from the binuclear family may sign informed consent, because he has equal legal rights with the mother under joint custody arrangements.
2. The non-biologic stepfather from the blended or reconstituted family, the divorced biologic father when the single-parent mother has custody, and the non-biologic father from the heterosexual cohabitating family are without legal authority to seek emergency medical care for the child.
3. The non-biologic stepfather from the blended or reconstituted family, the divorced biologic father when the single-parent mother has custody, and the non-biologic father from the heterosexual cohabitating family are without legal authority to seek emergency medical care for the child.
4. The non-biologic stepfather from the blended or reconstituted family, the divorced biologic father when the single-parent mother has custody, and the non-biologic father from the heterosexual cohabitating family are without legal authority to seek emergency medical care for the child.