If a patient cannot consent due to impaired decision-making, who may provide consent?

If a patient cannot consent due to impaired decision-making, who may provide consent?

• A. Crew member
• B. Patient's friend
• C. Guardian or medical authority
• D. No one; treatment cannot be given

Answer: (C)

When a patient can’t make or communicate decisions, someone legally authorized to decide for them must give consent. That person is typically a guardian or a medical authority such as a healthcare proxy (durable power of attorney for healthcare) who has been designated to act on the patient’s behalf. They base choices on the patient’s known wishes and what’s in the patient’s best interests. A crew member or a friend generally doesn’t have this authority unless they are the legally appointed surrogate. The idea that no one can consent isn’t correct, because a proper surrogate can authorize needed treatment, and in true emergencies, care may proceed under implied consent while a surrogate is arranged.

When a patient can’t make or communicate decisions, someone legally authorized to decide for them must give consent. That person is typically a guardian or a medical authority such as a healthcare proxy (durable power of attorney for healthcare) who has been designated to act on the patient’s behalf. They base choices on the patient’s known wishes and what’s in the patient’s best interests. A crew member or a friend generally doesn’t have this authority unless they are the legally appointed surrogate. The idea that no one can consent isn’t correct, because a proper surrogate can authorize needed treatment, and in true emergencies, care may proceed under implied consent while a surrogate is arranged.