Which statement best describes decision-making capacity?

• A. It is a fixed attribute and never varies by situation.
• B. It is determined by court of law.
• C. It is the same as competency.
• D. It is the ability to make decisions and can vary by situation.

Answer: (D)

Decision-making capacity is about a person’s ability to understand information relevant to a decision, appreciate potential consequences, reason about options, and communicate a choice. This capacity is specific to the decision at hand and can change depending on the situation, the complexity of the decision, and the person’s current mental state. It is not a fixed trait and is not the same as legal competency, which is a determination often made by a court. For these reasons, the statement that best describes decision-making capacity is that it is the ability to make decisions and can vary by situation.