When may a clinician ethically discuss a patient’s prognosis with family members who are not the patient?

• A. Only after the patient explicitly asks for family involvement.
• B. If the patient lacks decision-making capacity.
• C. With patient consent or per law, including when the patient lacks decision-making capacity or has authorized disclosure.
• D. Never discuss prognosis with non-patient family.

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that patient confidentiality guides what you share, but you can discuss prognosis with family when the patient has given consent or when the patient cannot make decisions and a legally authorized surrogate is involved. If the patient lacks decision-making capacity, a legally authorized representative (surrogate) may receive prognosis information to help with care decisions. If the patient has previously authorized disclosure to specific family members, that authorization permits sharing. If the patient is capable and explicitly objects to sharing with family, you should honor that preference. In practice, this means always checking capacity and any explicit consent or designation, so you share prognosis with family only under those appropriate permissions.