The best interests standard for incompetent or incapacitated persons of all ages
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026

SECONDs Administration Guidelines: A Fast Tool to Assess Consciousness in Brain-injured Patients
Published on: February 6, 2021
1Department of Medical Humanities, Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, USA.
Abstract:
When making decisions for adults who lack decision-making capacity and have no discernable preferences, widespread support exists for using the Best Interests Standard. This policy appeals to adults and is compatible with many important recommendations for persons facing end-of-life choices. Common objections to the policy are discussed as well as different meanings of this Standard identified, such as using it to express goals or ideals and to make practical decisions incorporating what reasonable persons would want. For reasons of consistency, fairness, and compassion, this standard should be used for all incapacitated persons.
Related Concept Videos
Standards of Care II
Standards of Care I
Intellectual Disability
Nurses' Legal Responsibilities I
The legal responsibilities of a nurse regarding informed consent include the following:
Nursing Ethical Principles I
Autonomy
Autonomy underscores the significance of a patient's self-determination and freedom from external control. In healthcare, respecting the...
Ethical Standards I
The Code of Ethics provisions outline the nurse's duty to the patient, the healthcare team, the profession, and society. The Code's fundamental principles include advocacy,...
