Question:

An older client is admitted to the cardiac floor for new-onset atrial fibrillation. As the nurse is gathering admission history on the client, the client states, “Did you know that they can keep people alive even after they’re brain dead? I never want to end up on those breathing machines.” Which of the following questions should the nurse ask NEXT?

A “Do you have an advance directive?”

explanation

An advance directive is a legal document that will ensure the patient’s wishes are carried out, independent of what his family would like to do.