What rights does a patient have in a coma state?

what rights does the patient have, who has the final word, should the plug be pulled?

Well it is kind of a slippery sloap and every case in different.
If a patient has a living will, the medical team will have to follow the wishes that the person outlined in that will.
If the wishes of the person are not explicitly known, a person called the healthcare proxy will make the medical decisions. If the person is married, the proxy would be the person's spouse. Otherwise it would be the next closest living relative, usually a child or sibling. This is unless another healthcare proxy has been designated in a living will or valid legal document.
If there is a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order, no resuscitation will be attempted should the patient go into cardiac arrest.

Unless a patient has a living will stating they want the plug pulled, the decision is the immediate family's. They are usually influenced by the hospital's staff one way or the other.

I know, my step dad was in a coma and my mom had to make the decision.

Nearest living relative.Well,if married spouse.I believe that if there isn't any,the court appoints a guardian to make decisions in your best interest.However until one is appointed the laws in most states(I think)require that ALL necessary actions be done to prolong life.

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