Which statement correctly describes how surrogates are used in decision-making?

• A. The patient cannot consent; the surrogate decides
• B. The surrogate is used for financial decisions only
• C. The surrogate cannot override patient wishes
• D. The surrogate decides right away without guidelines

Answer: (A)

Surrogate decision-making comes into play when a patient can't participate in medical choices. Because the patient cannot consent, someone else—an legally authorized surrogate—step in to decide about treatment. The surrogate should base decisions on what the patient would have wanted (substituted judgment) or, if those wishes aren’t known, on what would be in the patient’s best interests. This focus is on medical decisions, not financial matters, and decisions are guided by established laws, advance directives, and clinical guidelines rather than being made arbitrarily. The surrogate’s duty is to follow the patient’s known preferences; when those aren’t known, to act in the patient’s best interests within the appropriate framework.