When a chronically ill 80-year-old client is admitted to your acute care facility in an unconscious state, the nurse's priority is to determine:
a. the client's wishes concerning a 'good death'
b. where the client's living will can be found
c. if the client has expressed a wish to be a "do not resuscitate" (DNR).
d. who is the client's durable power of attorney for health care (DPAHC).
ANS: D
A DPAHC is an individual appointed by the patient, a surrogate, to speak for the patient in all matters related to health care. Identifying such an individual has priority in this scenario. The client's wishes concerning end life care is important but considered premature at this time. A living will is restricted to represent a person's wishes specific to a particular condition of a terminal illness and applies only to that case. A DNR is premature in this situation as well.
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