If a child is present, what must you obtain to provide care?

Obtaining consent from a child's parent or guardian is critical when providing care because it ensures that the caregiver respects the legal rights of the child's guardians. In emergency situations, consent is necessary to protect both the child and the provider legally. It acknowledges that the parent or guardian has the authority to make healthcare decisions on behalf of the child and has the right to understand the nature of the treatment being provided.

While consent from the child may be relevant in certain situations, particularly with older children who are capable of understanding, it is not considered adequate on its own for medical decisions. In emergencies where a child is unconscious, implied consent can apply in some jurisdictions, but it's generally best practice to seek explicit consent from a parent or guardian when possible. Consent from an adult present might not be sufficient if that adult is not the child's legal guardian. Thus, obtaining consent from the child's parent or guardian is the standard approach in these scenarios.