Which statement is true about advance directives and surrogates?

Which statement is true about advance directives and surrogates?

• A. They always require a physician's signature
• B. They may appoint a surrogate and guide care when the patient cannot express preferences
• C. They are only relevant in terminal illness
• D. They replace the need for patient consent

Answer: (B)

Advance directives and surrogates are about honoring a patient’s preferences and values when they can’t communicate them themselves. An advance directive lets a person express what kinds of medical care they want or don’t want, and it may name a surrogate to make decisions if the patient cannot express preferences. That surrogate makes choices based on the patient’s known wishes or, if those aren’t known, on what would be in the patient’s best interests. The key point is this guides care only when the patient lacks capacity; it does not replace the need for consent if the patient can participate in decisions. These directives apply to a wide range of medical situations, not just terminal illness. Forms don’t universally require a physician’s signature; requirements vary by location and may include the patient’s signature with witnesses or a notary. They also do not remove the need for patient input when the patient can give it. So, the statement about appointing a surrogate and guiding care when the patient cannot express preferences is the true one.

Advance directives and surrogates are about honoring a patient’s preferences and values when they can’t communicate them themselves. An advance directive lets a person express what kinds of medical care they want or don’t want, and it may name a surrogate to make decisions if the patient cannot express preferences. That surrogate makes choices based on the patient’s known wishes or, if those aren’t known, on what would be in the patient’s best interests. The key point is this guides care only when the patient lacks capacity; it does not replace the need for consent if the patient can participate in decisions. These directives apply to a wide range of medical situations, not just terminal illness. Forms don’t universally require a physician’s signature; requirements vary by location and may include the patient’s signature with witnesses or a notary. They also do not remove the need for patient input when the patient can give it.

So, the statement about appointing a surrogate and guiding care when the patient cannot express preferences is the true one.