An 89 year old man has a basal cell carcinoma on his forehead which requires excision. He has dementia. The clinic nurse feels he is not competent to give consent for surgery.

 

Which is the most appropriate action for obtaining consent?

 

Ask a psychiatrist to assess his cognitive function

Ask his general practitioner to sign the consent form

Ask his wife to sign the consent form

Ask the patient to sign the consent form

Ask the surgeon to assess his mental capacity