A patient with aphasia is typically deemed competent to make medical decisions?

• A. No
• B. Yes
• C. Usually no
• D. Sometimes, depending on the patient

Answer: (B)

Competence to make medical decisions is about the ability to understand information, appreciate consequences, reason about options, and communicate a choice. Aphasia affects language, not necessarily judgment or understanding of medical issues. So a patient with aphasia can be competent if they can understand the information, weigh the options, and express a clear decision, often with the help of communication supports (like simple language, writing, gestures, or a speech-language pathologist). If the patient demonstrates understanding and can convey a choice, they are considered competent to decide. If communication barriers prevent true understanding, a formal capacity assessment and, if needed, a surrogate decision maker come into play. Therefore, the patient with aphasia is typically capable of making medical decisions.