A nurse is teaching a client about the purpose of advance directives. When assessing the client's understanding of the teaching, which of the following client statements should the nurse expect?

Rationale: A. This option is incorrect because advance directives are not permanent and can be changed or revoked at any time, as long as the client is competent to make healthcare decisions. Clients may revise their directives to reflect changes in their health status, personal values, or preferences for medical care. Telling clients they cannot be changed could lead to misunderstandings about their rights and autonomy. B. This option is incorrect because while consulting an attorney may provide legal guidance, it is not a required step for creating an advance directive. Many advance directives are valid when completed using standardized forms provided by healthcare facilities or state resources without legal review. C. This option is incorrect because appointing a durable power of attorney (also called a healthcare proxy) is optional. While designating someone to make healthcare decisions on the client’s behalf can be helpful, especially if the client becomes incapacitated, it is not mandatory for an advance directive to be valid. D. This option is correct because advance directives are intended to document a client’s preferences for end-of-life care. This includes decisions about life-sustaining treatments, resuscitation (CPR), mechanical ventilation, feeding tubes, and other medical interventions. By having an advance directive, clients ensure that their wishes are respected if they become unable to communicate or make healthcare decisions in the future. This empowers clients, guides healthcare providers, and helps prevent unwanted or unnecessary interventions.