Question

A nurse is caring for a client who asks the nurse to explain what advance directives are. Which of the following statements should the nurse make? a) Advance directives outline your financial responsibilities in healthcare. b) Advance directives are legal documents that specify your wishes regarding medical treatment. c) Advance directives are agreements between healthcare providers and insurance companies. d) Advance directives dictate the types of food and activities allowed during hospitalization.

Answer 1

Advance directives are legal documents specifying a person's medical treatment preferences if they're unable to communicate, which can include living wills, DNR Orders, and appointing a health care proxy.

Step-by-step explanation:

Advance directives are legal documents that specify a person's wishes regarding medical treatment in the event that they become unable to communicate their decisions. A correct response to the client's question would be: 'Advance directives are legal documents that specify your wishes regarding medical treatment.' These documents include a living will, which details specific interventions a person desires or wants to refuse, such as life-extending treatments. Moreover, they may encompass a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order, indicating that medical personnel should not undertake resuscitation if the person's heart stops beating or they stop breathing. Additionally, an advance directive can appoint a health care proxy, authorizing a designated individual to make medical decisions on behalf of the patient if they are no longer able to express their wishes.

Learn more about Advance Directives