The Patient Self-Determination Act of 1991 brought about what changes and nursing issues?

Question

1. The act has allowed people to make decisions in advance about their future health care.
2. Nurses must ensure that the client's living will or durable power of attorney is understood.
3. Issues such as the "right to die," assisted suicide, and other ethical dilemmas are of daily concern to nurses in all practice settings.
4. The act assists people with information on what to do with their financial investments.
5. It has increased the scope and accountability of the nurse.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1, 2, 3, 5

The Patient Self-Determination Act of 1991 has brought about fundamental changes and created nursing issues. The act has allowed people to make decisions in advance about their future health care, where in the past they could not. The act has also increased nurses' responsibilities, for example nurses must now monitor the procedures for gaining consent and implementing procedures to ensure that the client's living will or durable power of attorney, for health care is understood and documented. Issues such as the "right to die," assisted suicide, and other ethical dilemmas are of daily concern to nurses in all practice settings. These added duties increased the scope and accountability of the nurse's role. The Patient Self-Determination Act does not encompass information on financial planning.