Which statement about surrogate decision-making in Indiana is accurate?

Which statement about surrogate decision-making in Indiana is accurate?

• A. A patient’s preference is always ignored when capacity is lacking.
• B. Only a court-appointed guardian can consent.
• C. A legally authorized representative may provide consent when the patient lacks capacity.
• D. Surrogates have no role in medical decisions.

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is who can authorize medical treatment when a patient can’t make decisions. In Indiana, a legally authorized representative steps in to give consent for care for someone who lacks capacity. This isn’t limited to one person or a single route—an agent under a durable power of attorney for health care, a health care surrogate named in an advance directive, or a court-appointed guardian can all fulfill that role. The surrogate should follow the patient’s known wishes (substituted judgment); if those aren’t known, decisions are made in the patient’s best interests. That’s why the statement about a legally authorized representative providing consent when the patient lacks capacity is the best answer. The other options misstate how surrogate decision-making works: patient preferences aren’t automatically ignored if known, surrogates do have a role, and guardianship isn’t the only way someone can consent.

The main idea here is who can authorize medical treatment when a patient can’t make decisions. In Indiana, a legally authorized representative steps in to give consent for care for someone who lacks capacity. This isn’t limited to one person or a single route—an agent under a durable power of attorney for health care, a health care surrogate named in an advance directive, or a court-appointed guardian can all fulfill that role. The surrogate should follow the patient’s known wishes (substituted judgment); if those aren’t known, decisions are made in the patient’s best interests.

That’s why the statement about a legally authorized representative providing consent when the patient lacks capacity is the best answer. The other options misstate how surrogate decision-making works: patient preferences aren’t automatically ignored if known, surrogates do have a role, and guardianship isn’t the only way someone can consent.