Question

The Patient Self-Determination Act of 1990 requires all hospitals to inform clients of advance directives. What should the nurse tell the client about such advance directives as living wills and health care power of attorney? Select all that apply. The advance directive is only valid in the state where it was written and subject to that state's laws. They guide the client's treatment in certain health care situations. They can't provide do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders for clients with terminal illnesses. They permit physicians to give DNR orders. They allow physicians to make decisions about treatment.

Answer 1

The nurse should inform the client about living wills and health care power of attorney as advance directives. Advance directives are valid in the state where they were written and subject to that state's laws. They allow the client to guide their treatment in certain health care situations, but can't provide DNR orders for clients with terminal illnesses.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should inform the client about advance directives such as living wills and health care power of attorney. A living will is a written legal document that details specific interventions a person wants, such as the preference for life-extending treatments in certain health care situations. On the other hand, a health care power of attorney appoints a specific person to make medical decisions for the client if they are unable to speak for themselves.

It is important to note that advance directives are valid in the state where they were written and subject to that state's laws. The nurse should inform the client that advance directives allow them to guide their treatment in specific health care situations, but they cannot provide Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) orders for clients with terminal illnesses. DNR orders can only be issued by physicians.