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Mental Capacity Act Level 1 Knowledge Assessment Quiz

Test Your Understanding of Capacity Principles

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art displaying questions for Mental Capacity Act Level 1 Knowledge Assessment quiz.

Ready to test your knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act? This Level 1 Knowledge Assessment quiz challenges learners with practical scenarios on capacity assessment and decision-making. Ideal for healthcare staff, social care practitioners, or legal students seeking to master capacity principles. Compare your results with the Mental Health Knowledge Assessment Quiz or the Mental Health Awareness Quiz, then explore more at quizzes. All questions are fully editable in our user-friendly editor.

Which of the following is the first statutory principle of the Mental Capacity Act?
The requirement for advance decisions
The best interests principle
The presumption of capacity
The duty to consult relatives
The first principle of the Act is the presumption of capacity, meaning everyone must be assumed to have capacity unless proven otherwise.
Under the Mental Capacity Act, when can you treat a person as lacking capacity?
If a health professional disagrees with their decision
If their family requests intervention
If they make any decision you consider unwise
If there is an impairment of, or disturbance in, the functioning of the mind or brain
The Act states a person is treated as lacking capacity only if there is an impairment or disturbance in the functioning of their mind or brain.
Which of these is one of the four key components in the functional test for assessing capacity?
Ability to understand relevant information
Ability to perform daily living activities
Ability to balance a checkbook
Ability to recall childhood memories
One component of the functional test is the person's ability to understand the information relevant to the decision.
Can a person with capacity under the Mental Capacity Act make a decision that others consider unwise?
Only if a doctor approves the decision
Only if there is a court order
No, all decisions must be deemed wise
Yes, a capacitated person can make an unwise decision
The Act recognises the right of a capacitated person to make decisions others may view as unwise or eccentric.
When making a decision in someone's best interests, which factor must be considered?
The person's past and present wishes
Only family convenience
Only the opinion of clinicians
Only cost to services
Best interest decisions require consideration of the person's own past and present wishes among other factors.
Which statutory principle emphasises that any intervention should be the least restrictive option?
Principle of presumption of capacity
Principle of advanced decisions
Principle of best interests
Principle of least restrictive option
The second principle states that any act done or decision made should be the least restrictive of the person's rights and freedoms.
Which component of the functional capacity test relates to keeping information in mind long enough to use it?
Communicating the decision
Retaining the information
Expressing a preference
Avoiding coercion
Retaining the information is one of the four functional test criteria, covering the ability to remember relevant information long enough to make a decision.
With which body must a Lasting Power of Attorney be registered to be valid?
Local Health Authority
Care Quality Commission
General Medical Council
Office of the Public Guardian
An LPA must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before the attorney can legally make decisions on behalf of the donor.
When must an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) be instructed?
Only for financial matters
For every decision a person makes
When a person lacks capacity and has no suitable family or friends for serious decisions
When the person explicitly refuses one
An IMCA must be appointed for serious medical or social care decisions when a person lacks capacity and has no appropriate family or friends.
Which emerging safeguard is intended to replace the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards?
Liberty Protection Safeguards
Mental Health Safeguards
Capacity Protection Safeguards
Care Quality Safeguards
The Liberty Protection Safeguards are the planned replacement for the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards under the MCA.
An advance decision to refuse life-sustaining treatment must be:
Verbally expressed only
In writing and witnessed
Signed by a health professional
Recorded in a care plan
For an advance decision to refuse life-sustaining treatment to be valid, it must be in writing, signed, and witnessed while the person had capacity.
Which power does the Court of Protection have under the Mental Capacity Act?
Register healthcare professionals
Set pharmaceutical pricing
Appoint deputies to make decisions for someone lacking capacity
Issue criminal sanctions
The Court of Protection can appoint a deputy to make ongoing decisions for someone deemed to lack capacity.
Under Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, who has the right to be consulted as a 'nearest relative'?
The local social services director
The hospital's chief nurse
The person's statutory nearest relative
The person's main clinician
The nearest relative, as defined by the Act, has specific rights to be involved and to object under the DoLS framework.
Which characteristic is most indicative of temporary incapacity, such as delirium?
Fluctuating levels of alertness
Gradual steady decline
Permanent forgetfulness
Long-term stable impairment
Delirium often presents with fluctuating consciousness and alertness, distinguishing it from more permanent conditions.
If a person with capacity refuses a recommended treatment, a professional should:
Respect the person's decision
Refer directly to the Court of Protection
Override the refusal in their best interests
Detain them under DoLS
If a person has capacity, their informed refusal must be respected, even if it conflicts with clinical advice.
A 78-year-old with moderate dementia refuses hip surgery. Which action respects capacity assessment and best interests?
Rely solely on the family's view
Delay all care until a court ruling
Provide tailored communication aids and reassurance to support the decision
Assume they lack capacity and proceed with surgery
You must first assess capacity and offer all practicable support, such as communication aids, before determining best interests.
What key difference distinguishes legal competency from mental capacity under the Act?
Capacity is granted by court; competency is medical only
Competency applies only to minors
Capacity is decision-specific and time-specific; competency is a broader legal status
Competency changes daily; capacity never does
Mental capacity is assessed for each decision at a specific time, whereas competency is a general legal concept.
Which of the following is NOT part of the best interests checklist under the MCA?
Consultation with relevant others
Any financial benefit to carers
Consultation with the person
Consideration of the person's past and present wishes
The best interests checklist focuses on the person's own wishes, feelings, and involvement of others, not financial benefits to carers.
A family dispute arises, but an LPA for health decisions exists. Whose authority governs?
The treating clinician
The attorney under the registered LPA
The oldest family member
The Court of Protection by default
A valid, registered LPA for health decisions takes priority over family members when the person lacks capacity.
In an emergency when someone lacks capacity and has no LPA or advance decision, you should:
Always seek criminal courts' permission
Delay treatment until the Court of Protection decides
Refuse treatment until family consent
Act in their best interests without waiting for court approval
In emergencies, professionals can lawfully act in the person's best interests to preserve life without prior court authorization.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyse the core principles of the Mental Capacity Act
  2. Identify criteria for assessing decision-making capacity
  3. Evaluate scenarios to determine best-interest decisions
  4. Apply capacity assessment frameworks in practice situations
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of legal safeguards and duties
  6. Distinguish between temporary and permanent incapacity cases

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understand the Five Key Principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) - Get to know the MCA's golden rules: always assume someone has capacity, respect even "unwise" choices, and act in someone's best interests when needed. These principles form the bedrock of ethical decision-making in health and social care. Read the MCA Principles
  2. Learn the Two-Stage Test for Assessing Capacity - First, check for any impairment of the mind or brain; then see if that impairment stops someone from making a particular decision. This clear, step-by-step test helps you stay objective and fair. Explore the Two-Stage Test
  3. Recognize the Importance of Supporting Decision-Making - Before deciding someone lacks capacity, make sure you've tried every practical way to help them understand and decide for themselves. Using clear language, visual aids, or a friendly chat can make all the difference. Support Decision-Making
  4. Distinguish Between Unwise Decisions and Lack of Capacity - Remember that choosing something others see as "unwise" doesn't mean a person lacks capacity. People have the right to take risks, and respecting that right is key to upholding their autonomy. Unwise ≠ Incapable
  5. Apply the Best Interests Checklist - When you must decide for someone, think about their past and present wishes, beliefs, values, and any other relevant factors. This checklist ensures you're making choices they would want if they could decide themselves. Use the Best Interests Checklist
  6. Identify the Least Restrictive Option - Always pick the path that limits a person's rights or freedoms the least. This approach helps maintain dignity and gives people maximum control over their lives. Find the Least Restrictive Way
  7. Differentiate Between Temporary and Permanent Incapacity - Capacity can come and go - think delirium versus long-term dementia. Knowing the difference lets you choose the right support and timing for decisions. Spot Temporary vs Permanent
  8. Understand the Role of Advance Decisions - Advance decisions let people say now what treatment they refuse later if they lose capacity. Learning how to record and honour these wishes is a powerful way to respect autonomy. Learn About Advance Decisions
  9. Familiarize Yourself with Legal Safeguards and Duties - The MCA includes checks and balances - like Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCAs) - to protect vulnerable individuals. Knowing these safeguards ensures you follow the law and uphold rights. Review Legal Safeguards
  10. Practice Applying Capacity Assessment Frameworks - Jump into real-life scenarios, case studies, or role plays to build confidence in capacity assessments. Practice makes perfect, and simulated cases help you spot nuances before you're in the hot seat. Try Practice Scenarios
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