A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client about advance directives and a health care proxy. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?

A. "Once my health care proxy is in place, I relinquish my right to make my own decisions" is incorrect. A health care proxy only comes into effect when the individual becomes incapacitated and unable to make decisions. Until then, the client retains the right to make their own decisions. B. "My health care proxy designee is not able to sign a consent form on my behalf" is incorrect. The health care proxy designee is authorized to make decisions about medical treatment, which includes signing consent forms on the client’s behalf if the client is unable to do so. C. "If I have a health care proxy, then I do not need to have a living will" is incorrect. A living will and a health care proxy are separate documents. A living will specify a person’s wishes regarding medical treatments in case they are unable to communicate, while a health care proxy designates someone to make decisions on their behalf. Both can be used together. D. "I do not need to name a relative as my designee in my health care proxy" is correct. The designee does not have to be a relative. The client can choose anyone they trust to make healthcare decisions on their behalf when they are unable to do so.