In the anatomical gift consent hierarchy, who has the next priority after the spouse?

• A. A brother or sister over 18
• B. A parent
• C. A guardian of the decedent at the time of death
• D. A son or daughter over 18

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is how the consent hierarchy works when a decedent hasn’t left a clear directive. After the spouse, the next person who has priority to authorize an anatomical gift is the decedent’s adult child—someone 18 or older. This order reflects the closest family connection and the expectation that adult children are most likely to know the decedent’s wishes and can make a timely decision for donation.

So, an adult son or daughter over 18 is the next in line after the spouse. A brother or sister over 18 would come later in the sequence, a parent is placed after adult children in this hierarchy, and a guardian’s role isn’t the immediate next authority unless no eligible kin are available.