An 80-year-old woman has been admitted to the emergency department after a sudden loss of consciousness and computed tomography indicates a serious ischemic stroke. The patient's son is adamant that the patient would not want thrombolytic therapy
The son would have the right to refuse this treatment on his mother's behalf if
A) there is a reasonable belief that such a treatment would not result in improved outcomes for
the patient.
B) a durable power of attorney for healthcare names the son as a healthcare proxy.
C) the son is able to show evidence that his mother was legally incompetent prior to her stroke.
D) there is unanimity among other immediate family members.
Ans: B
A durable power of attorney for healthcare (DPOA-Healthcare) is a document that
legally designates a substitutionary decision maker, should the person be incapacitated. This
document may also be referred to as designating a healthcare proxy. Previous disabilities, the
agreement of other family members and a low likelihood of benefit are not factors that confer
legal rights for surrogate decision-making.
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