Mr. Cardinal is found outside a downtown hospital when there is an extreme cold weather warning. He has hypothermia and is at risk of dying. He is taken to the emergency room immediately. The emergency room staff says they must amputate his foot to save his life. He cannot give consent. Which comment is correct?
a. Because he has a history of mental illness, consent is not needed.
b. Because he is at risk of losing a limb and his life, consent is not needed.
c. No need to offer treatment because he created this problem: he prefers traditional health practices.
d. He has been in and out of the hospital. We cannot spend more resources on these cases