Question

A client is being admitted to the facility and the spouse asks the nurse why they must sign a statement confirming the client is informed of rights to communicate wishes about life support and resuscitation. Which statement(s) by the nurse are congruent with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act regulations? Select all that apply. "We want to be sure that the client is able to make an informed decision about the care they choose to receive." "Everyone has to sign this. We need to know what we should do in case something unexpected happens." "It is important for your spouse as a consumer of health care to be able to have specific rights regarding health care and to have their wishes respected." "I hate talking about this because it may upset you, but federal law requires her to sign this and there is nothing we can do." "We make sure our clients know they have the right to specify advance directives and appoint someone to speak for them."

Answer 1

The nurse should explain that signing a statement about life support and resuscitation is to ensure the patient can make an informed decision, to respect the patient's rights as a consumer of health care, and to communicate the right to specify advance directives.

Step-by-step explanation:

Statements by the nurse that are congruent with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations when explaining the need to sign a statement about life support and resuscitation wishes would include:

• “We want to be sure that the client is able to make an informed decision about the care they choose to receive.”
• “It is important for your spouse as a consumer of health care to be able to have specific rights regarding health care and to have their wishes respected.”
• “We make sure our clients know they have the right to specify advance directives and appoint someone to speak for them.”

These statements emphasize the importance of patient autonomy, the legal right to make healthcare decisions, and the practice of ensuring informed consent is obtained. They reflect an understanding of the patient's rights under HIPAA to have their privacy and decisions about their healthcare respected.