Who can provide informed consent when a patient lacks decision-making capacity?

• A. A legally authorized surrogate or designated healthcare proxy.
• B. The patient themselves
• C. The nurse
• D. The family friend

Answer: (A)

When someone cannot make medical decisions, the right to provide informed consent lies with a legally authorized surrogate or designated healthcare proxy. This person is chosen to reflect the patient’s known wishes or, if those are not known, to act in the patient’s best interests. The surrogate’s authority comes from advance directives, a durable power of attorney for health care, or a court-appointed guardian, depending on the jurisdiction. The nurse’s role is to ensure the patient is informed and to obtain consent from the surrogate, documenting it properly. The patient themselves cannot consent, and a nurse or a family friend does not have legal authority to give consent unless they are the designated surrogate.