Core Nursing Competencies Exam 1 Practice

Designating a trusted person to make medical decisions for you when you can’t express your wishes is the core idea. The “durable” part means this authority stays in effect if you become incapacitated, so your care can be guided by someone who knows your values without needing court intervention. This surrogate communicates with the medical team, weighs treatment options, and makes decisions consistent with what you would want—such as whether to pursue aggressive treatment or focus on comfort. It’s not about replacing a spouse, granting doctors unlimited authority, or letting a nurse decide your care—the physician still leads medical judgment, while the designated decision-maker advocates for your preferences and ensures they’re followed.