JEHOVAH'S WITNESS age consent?

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Dear friends,

Hope everyone are doing well in school. I have 2 more months left to become a registered nurse :-)

I need help with my project. I'm doing a research on Jehovahs witness and blood transfusion. From my extensive research I got all the information that I needed except for AGE consent. What is the age limit to give consent for blood transfusion? few say it's 19...16...14. I read somewhere "mature minor" can make a decision. I also read that it's a conscience decision. Please give me some inputs. I want to know a number. It doesn't matter which state. The case study that was assigned to me was about a 16 year old boy, automobile accident with a Hbg of 7 g/dl, Hct:21%. Is he allowed to make his own decisions? Thank you so much for your input.

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Specializes in L&D, Antepartum.

I think it would depend on your state law. Usually, 16 is considered a minor. I don't think it matters if he is a JW or not.

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I don't know about the age consent, but I know one of my pt's family, who is Jehovah, refused to do blood transfusion on the child. The child ended up dying :(

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, IM, OB/GYN, neuro, GI.

What's the hospitals policy? They usually follow the law and that's anyone that's 18 yr old or older unless they are unable to make their own decisions (mentally underdeveloped).

Or are you asking what is the age that the JW allows a person to sign the documents saying that they can't receive blood/blood components? If that's what you're looking for call the local JW chapter by you and see what they say.

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Specializes in med-surg.
What's the hospitals policy? They usually follow the law and that's anyone that's 18 yr old or older unless they are unable to make their own decisions (mentally underdeveloped).

I would go this route. Call up your hospital's education dept. They can probably tell you pretty quickly. Or next time you go to clinicals ask the nurse manager or social worker if you see them.

Also, I would be sure to mention that if the parents refuse to let their kid get a transfusion that you should take the case to the ethics committee at the hospital to decide.

have fun with that one

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