Unemancipated minors may consent to medical treatment under certain criteria. Which of the following is one of those circumstances?

• A. Pregnancy
• B. Routine dental cleaning
• C. When a guardian approves all care
• D. Cosmetic surgery

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that minors who are not legally emancipated generally need parental consent for medical care, but there are important exceptions that recognize the minor’s own right to consent in certain health-related situations. Pregnancy is one of those circumstances: a pregnant minor may consent to prenatal care and related medical services without a parent’s permission to protect both her health and the fetus. This arrangement helps ensure timely access to essential care. The other options don’t fit this exception: routine dental cleaning is typically preventive care that requires parental consent for an unemancipated minor; a guardian’s approval to cover all care does not grant autonomous consent; and cosmetic surgery is elective and usually requires parental consent for a minor. Laws can vary by jurisdiction, but pregnancy is a commonly recognized exception.