Final answer:
A legal designee (option B) such as a health care agent, spouse, next of kin, or an adult sibling can provide consent for an adult patient who lacks capacity. Individuals often use legal documents like a living will, DNR order, or health care proxy to ensure their medical wishes are respected if they become incapacitated.
Step-by-step explanation:
Who can provide consent for an adult patient who lacks capacity? The person who can provide consent for an adult patient who lacks the capacity is a legal designee, which can include a health care agent, spouse, next of kin, or an adult sibling. These individuals are authorized to make decisions for the patient in case they are unable to do so themselves. This is in accordance with the principle of autonomy in medical ethics, which asserts that patients have the right to make informed decisions about their own healthcare.
It is important for individuals to be proactive in their healthcare decisions. Many choose to create a living will or advanced directive, which details their wishes in case they become incapacitated. This document may include a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order or appoint a health care proxy to ensure their medical preferences are honored. A health care proxy is a legal document that appoints a specific person to make medical decisions if the patient is unable to communicate their wishes.