At the End of Life

Question 1

What is an advance directive?

Answer 1

Allows patient to participate in clinical decision making after they have lost power to communicate their preference or/and have become mentally incompetent.

Question 2

When may an advance directive emerge?

Answer 2

1. Mental illness
2. chemotherapy
3. End of life-decision making

Question 3

What’s the durable power of attorney for health care?

Answer 3

Allows patient to delegate another person- agent- the power to make any health care decision that patient would normally be entitled to make

Question 4

Illinois health care surrogate act

Answer 4

• patient lack mental capacity
• Surrogate decision maker - on behalf of patients lacking decisional capacity to end life sustaining treatment
  Can be patients guardian/spouse/adult son or daughter/parent/adult bro or sis/adult grandchild/close friend
  Close friend= over 18

Question 5

What must patient be to make an advance directive?

Answer 5

1. Over 18

2. Have mental capacity

Question 6

How to test patient for mental capacity?

Answer 6

1. Understand clinical info
2. Comprehend
3. retain
4. Communicate an informed decision based on relevant clinical info