Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Exam

Which term describes the ability to make informed decisions regarding one's own health?

1. Decisional capacity

2. Informed consent

3. Comprehension

4. Competence

The correct answer is: Decisional capacity

The ability to make informed decisions regarding one's own health is referred to as decisional capacity. This term encompasses an individual's ability to understand the information about their health, evaluate the potential outcomes of different options, and communicate a choice based on that understanding. Decisional capacity is essential in the context of healthcare as it ensures that patients are actively involved in their treatment decisions. The concept of informed consent is closely related but focuses explicitly on the process through which a patient is provided with the necessary information to make an informed decision. While informed consent requires decisional capacity, it itself does not denote the ability to make those decisions. Comprehension pertains to the understanding of information rather than the broader capability to make decisions, which involves reasoning and the ability to reflect on choices. Competence refers to a legal status determined by a court that indicates whether an individual can make decisions for themselves. It is a broader legal and social concept, while decisional capacity specifically addresses the individual’s cognitive ability to make informed choices at a particular moment. Thus, decisional capacity is the most accurate term that defines the ability to make informed decisions regarding one’s own health.