How to perform a thorough and legal mental capacity assessment

This 'How to' article explains how to perform a thorough and legal mental capacity assessment for adults in a safe, effective and supportive manner. Nurses undertaking this assessment must ensure they have the appropriate knowledge and skills, and must work within the limits of their competence. • Nurses should ensure they fully understand the definition of the phrase 'lacks capacity'. • A person must be assumed to have capacity unless it is established that they lack capacity. • A person must not be treated as unable to make a decision unless all practicable steps to help them do so have been taken without success. REFLECTIVE ACTIVITY: 'How to' articles can help to update your practice and ensure it remains evidence-based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: • How this article might improve your practice when undertaking a mental capacity assessment. • How you could use this information to educate nursing students or your colleagues on what constitutes a thorough and legal mental capacity assessment.