Medical Assistant Prep / Unit 27 MAS 661 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Capacity to Decide
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The idea
Capacity means a person can make a particular medical decision in a particular situation; competence is a legal status decided by a judge.
In practice
Signs that a patient may lack capacity include being unable to state a decision, blanket acceptance or refusal of care, hallucinations or intoxication.
Where people slip
Judging capacity is outside your role; report your concerns to the provider.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
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