Question

What are at least two nursing consideration related to a living will?

Answer 1

A living will is a legal document that provides written directives about the choice of medical treatment and procedures a patient wishes to undergo in circumstances where the patient cannot communicate or make decisions for himself.

A living will if authorised legally cannot be overruled by a nurse or other healthcare personnels. Doctors, nurses and other caregivers need to abide to the living will and provide treatment to the patient according to living will.

But nurse needs to consider a few things before following the directives of living will. They are:-

1. Patient with age of 18 years and above can make a living will. A living will made by minors and children will be overruled.

2. Patient needs to clearly mention the type of circumstances and name of treatments he wish to undergo and refuse in the living will.

3. The living will should be witnessed by people as the law states.

4. The patient should be mentally fit and not under any kind of pressure while drafting the living will.

5. The patient should be fully aware and educated about the benefits and the risks of treatment he refuses.