title: Competence and the nurse-patient relationship.
abstract: Patient competence is a prerequisite to fulfilling the primary ethical principle of patient autonomy or self-determination. This article defines the legal designation of incompetence and describes the components of the assessment of a patient's decision-making capacity. These assessments occur within the context of relationships, the most influential of which is that between the nurse and patient. Attention to the nurse-patient relationship promotes patient autonomy, patient advocacy, and decision making based upon the patient's values--which is, ultimately, ethical health care.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Jurchak
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D032882:Comprehension; D003657:Decision Making; D004993:Ethics, Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008297:Male; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D026684:Personal Autonomy