Case Study:
G., 17 years old, is seriously injured while jumping from a train on which he had been hitching a ride. He is taken to a nearby hospital and given treatment by Dr. Lycanthropus, who judges that the boy's right arm will have to be amputated below the elbow because it had been crushed beyond repair. Two other physicians are consulted and agree that the amputation be done immediately to protect J's life. J is unconscious due to a concussion without changes on the CT scan of the brain. He is also medicated for possible pain to allow the suturing of a head wound that was bleeding profusely. Attempts to contact the boy's parents in a neighboring town are unsuccessful. Dr. Lycanthropus amputates.
Answer the question:
a. Should the physicians have waited to for J to wake up to obtain informed consent? Why?