While recovering from a severe illness, a hospitalized patient wants to change a living will, which was signed 9 months ago. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

Question

a. "Check with your admitting health care provider whether a copy is on your chart."
b. "Let me check with someone here in the hospital who can assist you."
c. "You are not allowed to ever change a living will after signing it."
d. "Your living will can be changed only once each calendar year."

Answer 1

ANS: B
As long as the patient is not declared legally incompetent or lacks the capacity to make decisions, living wills can be changed. It is the nurse's responsibility to find an appropriate person in the facility to assist the patient. Checking with the health care provider about the presence of a living will on the chart has nothing to do with the patient's desire to change the living will. The question states that the patient wants to change a living will. A living will can be changed whenever the patient decides to change it, as long as the patient is competent.