Pg 40 Flashcards
What is a limited power of attorney?
This grants only certain powers. I.e.: investment instructions, limited number of bank accounts you can access, time period, specific task, etc.
What is a durable power of attorney?
This continues even if the principle becomes incapacitated. It usually involves language like, “this power of attorney will continue to be effective even if I become incapacitated.“ It ends at death after the remains have been disposed of.
What is a medical power of attorney?
This is an advanced healthcare directive where the person makes healthcare decisions for himself through a directive that says what his wishes are about refusing or terminating medical treatment, and he appoints an agent to make those decisions for him.
What is the order for next of kin for making medical decisions about someone once they become incompetent if there is no power of attorney?
Spouse, adult child, parent, adult sibling
What kind of decisions does a medical power of attorney holder make for the principal?
He tries to make decisions based on what the principal would have chosen in that situation.
What was the first state to authorize physician assisted suicide?
Oregon
What is physician assisted suicide?
Doctors cannot be criminally or civilly liable for prescribing a lethal dose of medicine to an adult if certain conditions are met:
- patient has an incurable disease
– is likely to die within six months
- patient makes multiple separate requests, at least one of which is in writing
- patient notified the next of kin
– there’s two waiting periods of 15 days and then two days
Does California allow physician assisted suicide?
Yes
What are the states that allow physician assisted suicide?
California, Colorado, Montana, Oregon, Vermont, Washington
What is involved in organ donation?
A person can give their body to a hospital, doctors, medical school, or body bank for research or transplantation. This can be executed by will or signed on a card
What is a living will?
A person can declare his desire to have death-delaying procedures withheld or withdrawn if he’s been diagnosed with a terminal condition by a physician
What are the advantages of a living will?
It ensures that your rights are respected if you can’t actively participate in decision-making regarding your health plus your family does not have to make hard decisions
What are the requirements for who can execute a living will?
Anyone that is 18 or older can do it. It must be in writing, signed, and have two independent witnesses
When does a living will take effect?
Once the person has been diagnosed with a terminal condition and his physician verifies that the information in the writing is part of the medical record
What are ways that you can revoke a living will?
Burning, tearing, destroying, defacing, signing a written revocation, making an oral revocation in the presence of a witness that is 18 years or older who then puts it in writing for you, etc.