A little of both. In risk to life situations, the nurses follow the orders of the doctors.

In A&E and Doctor orders you to have an excruciatingly painful test ASAP? Well, then that's what you get. What do you mean, you only consent if they numb it first? *That's* not an option!

Oh, it's not like there's no choice at all. You still get to choose between holding still or being held down.