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Informed consent in the elderly: assessing decisional capacity
1Department of Nursing, Angelo State University, San Angelo, TX 76909, USA.
Seminars in Perioperative Nursing
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Nurses may face ethical conflicts when assessing an elderly patient's capacity for informed consent. Evaluating mental capacity is crucial for upholding patient autonomy and ensuring ethical care practices.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Bioethics
- Nursing Ethics
Background:
- Informed consent is a cornerstone of ethical medical practice, safeguarding patient rights.
- Professional responsibilities include ensuring patients can make autonomous decisions.
Observation:
- Nurses may experience discomfort when assessing the decision-making capacity of elderly patients.
- This discomfort can arise from concerns about the patient's ability to provide fully informed consent.
Findings:
- Assessing mental capacity in elderly patients is a critical nursing function.
- Ethical conflicts emerge when there is uncertainty regarding a patient's capacity.
Implications:
- Accurate assessment of mental capacity respects patient autonomy.
- Addressing nurses' discomfort is vital for navigating ethical dilemmas in geriatric care.
Keywords:
Professional Patient Relationship