Which nursing action demonstrates proper management of advanced directives?

Which nursing action demonstrates proper management of advanced directives?

• A. Providing Written Information About Directives
• B. Creating New Directives for Each Patient
• C. Delegating All Decisions to Family
• D. Withholding Directive Information

Answer: (A)

Providing written information about directives centers on supporting patient autonomy by giving clear, accessible materials that explain what advance directives are, what choices exist, and how to complete and document them. This action equips patients to deliberate with clinicians and family, ensuring their preferences are understood and can guide care if they become unable to speak. It also helps ensure the directives are properly filed in the medical record so staff can honor the patient’s wishes across different situations and times. Creating new directives for each patient isn’t appropriate because directives must reflect the individual’s own choices and be legally valid, not something a nurse generates on the spot. Delegating all decisions to family undermines patient autonomy, removing the patient’s voice from care decisions. Withholding directive information prevents patients from making informed choices and violates ethical and legal expectations to inform patients about their options.

Providing written information about directives centers on supporting patient autonomy by giving clear, accessible materials that explain what advance directives are, what choices exist, and how to complete and document them. This action equips patients to deliberate with clinicians and family, ensuring their preferences are understood and can guide care if they become unable to speak. It also helps ensure the directives are properly filed in the medical record so staff can honor the patient’s wishes across different situations and times.

Creating new directives for each patient isn’t appropriate because directives must reflect the individual’s own choices and be legally valid, not something a nurse generates on the spot. Delegating all decisions to family undermines patient autonomy, removing the patient’s voice from care decisions. Withholding directive information prevents patients from making informed choices and violates ethical and legal expectations to inform patients about their options.