Certified Case Manager Practice Test

What is required when psychotropic medication is prescribed for a child without parental consent?

1. A court order

2. Consent from the foster parent

3. Monitoring by a social worker

4. Regular updates to the child's guardian

The correct answer is: A court order

When psychotropic medication is prescribed for a child without parental consent, a court order is required to ensure that the child's best interests are being prioritized while adhering to legal guidelines. This is particularly important in situations where the parents are unavailable or unable to provide consent, as the legal system serves as a safeguard to ensure that medical decisions involving minors are made with appropriate oversight. The necessity for a court order is rooted in the principle of protecting the rights of the child and ensuring that any medical treatment, especially involving psychiatric medications, is justified and necessary. It ensures that there is a formal judicial review of the circumstances surrounding the treatment, thereby providing an additional layer of protection for the child's welfare. While obtaining consent from a foster parent may seem like a plausible option in certain cases, it does not replace the need for a court order if the biological parents cannot consent. Similarly, simply having monitoring by a social worker or providing updates to the child's guardian would not fulfill the legal requirement in cases requiring medication without parental approval. These steps could provide support and ongoing assessment but do not satisfy the legal protocols in situations of contested parental authority.