A woman is considered incompetent and she has not left an advanced directive. Her son is called upon as a surrogate to make a decision he believes his mother would make if she were still capable. This is an example of

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The scenario described is an example of the substituted judgment standard, where the surrogate decision maker (in this case, the son) tries to make a decision based on what the patient would have chosen if they were still competent to do so. This is different from the best interests standard (where decisions are based on what is deemed best for the patient) and the surrogate judgment standard (where decisions are based on what the surrogate decision maker thinks is best). A living will is a legal document that specifies a person's preferences for medical treatment in the event that they become unable to make their own decisions. A good death refers to the concept of dying peacefully and without unnecessary suffering.

A Woman Is Considered Incompetent and She Has Not Left