If an attending physician is unavailable, who besides the attending physician may sign the death certificate?

The correct answer is the chief medical officer may sign the death certificate if the attending physician is unavailable. This is significant because the chief medical officer typically holds a high-level position within a healthcare facility and has the authority to oversee medical practices, including the signing of important documents such as death certificates. Their role encompasses ensuring that the medical records and processes adhere to legal and regulatory standards.

While other choices present individuals who might be present in the care process, they do not have the same authority or legal standing to sign a death certificate as the chief medical officer does. Immediate family members and registered nurses, for example, may have a supportive role but are generally not authorized to complete legal medical documentation such as a death certificate. Other attending physicians might be able to confirm necessary details but typically would not be the designated signatory unless specified by certain protocols or policies of the agency in question.