Advanced Directives
What is a Living Will ?
A written statement detailing a person's desires regarding their medical treatment in circumstances in which they are no longer able to express informed consent
What is palliative care ?
Addresses the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients across the continuum of illness and optimizes the patient’s quality of life through anticipation, prevention, and treatment. While providing relief from the symptoms
What is the Advanced directive completion rate as of 2017?
17% to 20%
What is a power of attorney ?
When a patient appoints someone to make medical decisions for them if they are unable to do so for themselves
What is hospice care?
Comfort care for patients facing a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less.
What are potential obstacles in completing advanced directives ?
Inadequate nursing education on advanced directives
Non english speaking patients
Superstitions
Poor medical literary
Healthy patients assuming no need for one
What is a Full Code?
If a person's heart stopped beating and/or they stopped breathing, all resuscitation procedures will be provided to keep them alive. This process can include chest compressions, intubation, and defibrillation
What are common CPR complications ?
Broken ribs, lung bruising, damage to the airway and internal organs, and internal bleeding
How can a nurse help aid in advanced care planning?
The Nurse should also assess the patient and family’s understanding of the diagnosis and prognosis, before discussing end- of-life care. Advanced care planning should not be made in a crisis. Nurses should approach the topic sensitively and gage the family’s readiness and acceptance of the plan of care.
What is a DNR?
"Do not resuscitate", this code status would indicate that the person would not want CPR performed.
What is the in hospital CPR success rate in patients over 80 years of age ?
2.1%
What are the 5 obstacles to overcome when it comes to advanced care planning for families?
The Elephant in the room, a silent understanding, the significance of small details, the invisible physician and supporting nurse and guilt.
What is a advanced directive?
A mechanism by which a competent individual expresses his or her wishes should circumstances arise in which he or she is no longer able to make rational and sound decisions regarding his or her medical treatment.
What is the Patient Self-Determination Act ?
This bill requires healthcare facilities to give information about advance directives in writing to patients upon admission. It
How do education sessions help improve quality palliative care?
By improving patients’ quality of life and satisfaction with care, improving the nurse’s skills and confidence, increase nurses’ abilities to address and understand patient informational needs, address and eliminate communication barriers, and develop appropriate responses to patient and family questions and concerns regarding end of life care.