Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 70%
Simulated
A nurse is caring for a client who is unconscious and has a living will. The client's family asks if they can make changes to lifesaving measures now that the client is unconscious. Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
The correct answer is D. The living will states the client's wishes regarding lifesaving measures. When a client is unconscious, the living will serves as a legal document that outlines their preferences for medical treatment, including lifesaving measures. This document must be followed by healthcare providers and cannot be changed by family members or healthcare proxies. Choice A is incorrect because the PSDA does not grant the family the right to change the client's living will. Choice B is incorrect because the durable power of attorney for health care does not have the authority to cancel a client's living will. Choice C is incorrect as the living will cannot be changed by family members once the client is incapacitated.