Question

What are 2 nursing considerations for the following:

-Healthcare advance directive

-Living will

-Durable power of attorney

Answer 1

Healthcare advance directive is a legal document that allow patients to put their healthcare wishes in writing or to appoint someone they trust to make decisions for them if they become incapacitated . The two types of healthcare advanced directive are LIVING WILL which allows individuals to decide what lifesaving measures they want if they are unable to make decisions and DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY for healthcare through which individual appoint someone to make decisions for them if they are unable to do so for themselves.

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS for the heathcareh Advance directives,Living Will and Durable power of attorney are as follows:-

1)Nurses must understand the history and nature of advanced healthcare directives to help patients make informed decisions prior to a crisis.

2)To help patients receive the benefits of their legal right to self declaration ,nurses must understand policy and procedures about advanced directives at healthcare institution where they work and take advantage of available education about advanced directives to increase their knowledge.The more educated nurses are about advanced directive ,the more informed their patients will be and greater likelihood that patients will complete an advanced directive.

Nurses in all fields of practice have an important role to promote patient autonomy and completion of advance directive ensuring quality care for all people regardless of age,sex,religion or current state of health.