Which statement about advance directives is true?

Which statement about advance directives is true?

• A. They must be honored only with family consent
• B. They must be honored unless staff disagree with the diagnosis
• C. They must be honored
• D. They should be changed if the resident's spiritual leader disagrees

Answer: (C)

Respect for patient autonomy and the legal obligation to follow advance directives is being tested. An advance directive is a legal document that records a person’s preferences for medical treatment or designates someone to make decisions when they can’t communicate. Because it’s binding, health care providers must honor it regardless of family wishes, even if staff disagree with the diagnosis. It remains in effect whether or not a spiritual leader disagrees, since religious views don’t override the patient’s stated wishes. The directive guides decisions about care, including whether to perform life-sustaining treatments, and must be respected when it’s valid and applicable. In practice for a CNA, this means checking the chart for the directive, ensuring it’s current and applicable, and following the patient’s wishes as specified—without letting family input or personal beliefs override them. If there’s any uncertainty, consult the supervising nurse.

Respect for patient autonomy and the legal obligation to follow advance directives is being tested. An advance directive is a legal document that records a person’s preferences for medical treatment or designates someone to make decisions when they can’t communicate. Because it’s binding, health care providers must honor it regardless of family wishes, even if staff disagree with the diagnosis. It remains in effect whether or not a spiritual leader disagrees, since religious views don’t override the patient’s stated wishes. The directive guides decisions about care, including whether to perform life-sustaining treatments, and must be respected when it’s valid and applicable.

In practice for a CNA, this means checking the chart for the directive, ensuring it’s current and applicable, and following the patient’s wishes as specified—without letting family input or personal beliefs override them. If there’s any uncertainty, consult the supervising nurse.