capacity, cognition and function

Q: Describe the difference between capacity, cognition, and function?

Answer: In ethics, capacity frequently becomes a significant value when it needs to be determined if a patient is capable of making decisions. Capacity is a distinct value from cognition and function. 

 

Cognition describes the various coordinated (physiological) functions of the brain. 

 

Function is related to different coordinated (anatomical) activities. Capacity is more of a supra-tentorial ability to understand the benefits and risks of a particular decision given the information provided.

#ethics

#psychiatry

Reference:

Jason Karlawish, Steven T DeKosky, FANAMario F Mendez - Assessment of decision-making capacity in adults Assessment of decision-making capacity in adults 

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/assessment-of-decision-making-capacity-in-adults - last updated: Sep 16, 2021.