A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client about advanced directives. Which of the following information should the nurse include?
Explanation & Rationale
A) *Once you have completed a living will, it cannot be changed: This statement is inaccurate. A living will can be revised or updated at any time while the client is still capable of making decisions. The client can amend or revoke their living will if they change their mind about their wishes regarding end-of-life care or other medical decisions. B) "You will need an attorney to appoint a health care surrogate": This statement is incorrect. While legal assistance might be beneficial in some cases, it is not required to appoint a health care surrogate. The appointment can typically be done through a simple form provided by the facility, and it is not necessary to hire an attorney for this process. C) "You should appoint a family member as your health care surrogate": While appointing a family member as a health care surrogate is common, it is not a requirement. The person appointed should be someone who understands the client’s wishes and will act in the client's best interest. It is important to select someone who can make tough decisions, but it doesn’t have to be a family member. D) "Your health care surrogate will make decisions on your behalf if you are unable": This statement is correct. A health care surrogate is a person appointed to make medical decisions on behalf of the client if they are unable to do so themselves due to incapacity. This role is critical when the client cannot communicate their wishes due to illness or injury.