Chapter 9

Question 1

capacity

Answer 1

ability to make a decision - basic element in informed consent
- determination: related to pt’s abilities, requirement of task, and likely consequences of decision

Question 2

(in)competence

Answer 2

legal term used when a person has been judged by a court to be completely unable to take care of him/herself and manage his property

Question 3

standards to reject in determining capacity

Answer 3

outcome: capacity based on outcome of decision
category: capacity defined by category/status of individual

Question 4

functional standard

Answer 4

recognizes pt’s functional ability as a decision-maker

pt can:

1. understand info relevant to decision
2. communicate w/ caregivers about decision
3. reason about relative alternatives and consequences against background of personal values

Question 5

substituted-judgment standard

Answer 5

allows pt’s own values/definitions of well-being to shape healthcare decisions - verbal or written (i.e. AD)

Question 6

best-interests standard

Answer 6

proxy should consider relief of suffering, preservation/restoration of function, quality/extent of life sustained - intended for pts who were never competent (child, those with severe mental retardation)

Question 7

other standards for surrogate decision-making

Answer 7

• professional standard: physician decides
• reasonable person standard: what any reasonable person would want to know (impossible to satisfy?)
• subjective standard: whatever info is material to the particular pt