Determining Patient and Surrogate Capacity for Medical Decision-Making

Activity Summary

Required reading for all learners: Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes

Patients who present more acutely ill may lack capacity to make decisions. A complete understanding of the principles of informed consent is vital when discussing clinical interventions with patients. APRNs need to have the expertise to assess the patient’s decision-making capacity prior to obtaining informed consent. This advanced session explores the process of determining the patient’s or their surrogate’s ability to understand the information provided and make an informed choice.

Objectives

Identify clinical conditions which should prompt the APRN to assess the patient’s or surrogate’s decision-making competence/capacity.
Describe the process for determining the patient’s and/or their surrogate’s competence or capacity for decision-making.
Compare/contrast the capacity assessment tools used in dementia patients versus patients with psychiatric disorders.

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Successful Completion

Learners must complete the entire activity and the associated evaluation to be awarded contact hours AND read Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes. No partial credit will be awarded.

Accreditation

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider number CEP 1036, for {contactHours} contact hours.

Disclosures

Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content will be identified by the Nurse Planner within the activity. Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content has been mitigated.

Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing education only and does not imply AACN, ANCC, or CBRN approval or endorsement of any commercial products discussed or displayed in conjunction with this educational activity. Activities with pharmacology hours are to assist the APRN in fulfilling the pharmacotherapeutic education requirements for licensure and certification renewals.

Activities meet the standards for most states that require mandatory continuing education for license and/or certification renewal. AACN recommends consulting with your own state board of nursing or credentialing organization before submitting your certificate of completion.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.