What criteria must be met for adult caregivers to act on behalf of incapacitated patients?

The correct answer is that adult caregivers must establish medical surrogacy to act on behalf of incapacitated patients. Medical surrogacy is a legal arrangement that allows a designated person, typically a close family member or another individual chosen by the patient, to make healthcare decisions when the patient is unable to do so due to incapacitation. This process ensures that the decisions made are in line with the patient's wishes and best interests.

Establishing medical surrogacy often involves documentation or direct verbal affirmation of the caregiver's role in decision-making, which is important for legal and ethical reasons. Caregivers acting in this capacity have a responsibility to advocate for the patient's needs and uphold their rights regarding treatment options.

While medical training could be beneficial for understanding medical decisions, it is not a requirement for acting as a surrogate. Similarly, being related to the patient can be advantageous, but not all surrogates are family members, and relationships are not strictly defined by blood ties. Additionally, presence at the scene, while important for immediate care, does not provide the legal authority necessary for making medical decisions on behalf of another individual. Hence, establishing medical surrogacy is essential for caregivers to effectively and lawfully represent the interests of incapacitated patients.