CPCT/A Patient Care Exam Test Prep

Answer: B- Advanced directives are legal documents that describe the wishes of a person regarding health care to be used when they can no longer make choices for themselves. Advanced directives are not similar to do not resuscitate (DNR) orders. As long as the client can understand and make choices, the advanced directive is not effective. In addition, an advanced directive becomes effective only after these three steps:

1.A physician determines that the patient has lost decision-making capacity.
2.A physician determines the patient’s diagnosis and prognosis.
3.A physician has evaluated the wishes as expressed in the document to determine what the client may want or not want.