Which statement about capacity is true?

Which statement about capacity is true?

• A. Capacity is decision-specific and time-sensitive
• B. Capacity is universal and unchanging
• C. Capacity is determined solely by the physician
• D. Capacity applies only to financial decisions

Answer: (B)

Capacity is best understood as decision-specific and time-sensitive. It isn’t a single globally fixed trait; a person may have the ability to make some choices today but not others, or may regain or lose capacity as their condition, medications, or circumstances change. Because of this, capacity must be assessed for the particular decision at the moment it’s being made. In practice, evaluating capacity involves checking whether the person can understand relevant information, appreciate the consequences, reason about options, and communicate a clear choice. It isn’t determined by the physician alone and isn’t limited to financial decisions; multiple professionals may weigh in, and surrogate decision-makers come into play only when capacity to decide is lacking. This flexible, context-specific approach is why capacity is described as decision-specific and time-sensitive.

Capacity is best understood as decision-specific and time-sensitive. It isn’t a single globally fixed trait; a person may have the ability to make some choices today but not others, or may regain or lose capacity as their condition, medications, or circumstances change. Because of this, capacity must be assessed for the particular decision at the moment it’s being made. In practice, evaluating capacity involves checking whether the person can understand relevant information, appreciate the consequences, reason about options, and communicate a clear choice. It isn’t determined by the physician alone and isn’t limited to financial decisions; multiple professionals may weigh in, and surrogate decision-makers come into play only when capacity to decide is lacking. This flexible, context-specific approach is why capacity is described as decision-specific and time-sensitive.