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

Criteria for Awarding Contact Hours

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

Accreditation

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

The Nurse Planner has determined that no individuals with the ability to control content of this activity have relevant relationships with ineligible companies.

Activities with pharmacotherapeutic credit are to assist the APRN in fulfilling their education requirements for licensure and certification renewals.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.