A nurse is educating a terminally ill patient about declining resuscitation in a living will.
The patient asks, “What would happen if I arrived at the emergency department and I had difficulty breathing?” Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

Choice A rationale: Client 1 is admitted with a new diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. While this condition can cause discomfort and requires management, it is a chronic condition that does not typically present an immediate threat to the client’s health. Therefore, while this client will need to be assessed and their care plan will need to be adjusted to manage their new diagnosis, they are not the highest priority at this time.

Choice B rationale: Client 2 has a history of hyperlipidemia and has been administered Atorvastatin 20 mg PO as prescribed. Hyperlipidemia is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management, but it does not typically present an immediate threat to the client’s health. The fact that the client has been administered their medication as prescribed suggests that their condition is currently being managed effectively. Therefore, while this client will need to be monitored to ensure that their medication continues to be effective, they are not the highest priority at this time.

Choice C rationale: Client 3 is 1 day postoperative and reports pain as 8 on a scale of 0 to 10, even after Morphine 5 mg subcutaneous was administered as prescribed. This indicates that the client’s pain is not well controlled and could be a sign of complications. Therefore, immediate assessment is required. This client should be the nurse’s highest priority.

Choice D rationale: Client 4 is admitted with a new diagnosis of heart failure. Heart failure is a serious condition that can have life- threatening complications. However, the fact that this is a new diagnosis suggests that the client’s condition is not yet severe enough to require immediate intervention. Therefore, while this client will need to be assessed and their care plan will need to be adjusted to manage their new diagnosis, they are not the highest priority at this time.

Choice E rationale: Client 5 has a stage 2 pressure injury on the left heel. Pressure injuries can lead to serious complications, including infection and tissue necrosis. However, a stage 2 pressure injury is a relatively minor injury that is unlikely to present an immediate threat to the client’s health. Therefore, while this client will need to be assessed and their care plan will need to be adjusted to manage their pressure injury, they are not the highest priority at this time.

Choice F rationale: Client 6 is admitted with a new diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management. However, the fact that this is a new diagnosis suggests that the client’s condition is not yet severe enough to require immediate intervention. Therefore, while this client will need to be assessed and their care plan will need to be adjusted to manage their new diagnosis, they are not the highest priority at this time.

Choice A rationale

This statement is incorrect. Advance directives do not allow the court to overrule an adult client’s refusal of medical treatment. They are legal documents that provide instructions for medical care and only go into effect if the individual cannot communicate their own wishes.

Choice B rationale

This statement is correct. Advance directives indicate the form of treatment a client is willing to accept in the event of a serious illness. They allow individuals to express their preferences about medical treatment at some point in the future, should they become unable to communicate their wishes.

Choice C rationale

This statement is incorrect. Advance directives do not permit a client to withhold medical information from health care personnel. They are used to communicate the individual’s wishes about medical treatment to their healthcare providers and family.

Choice D rationale

This statement is incorrect. Advance directives do not specifically allow health care personnel in the emergency department to stabilize a client’s condition. They are used to guide choices for doctors and caregivers if the individual is terminally ill, seriously injured, in a coma, in the late stages of dementia or near the end of life.