Free BCEN Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Practice Question

The correct answer is to request a copy of the advance directive. While all options may seem appropriate, verifying the existence and content of the advance directive is crucial before making any decisions about the patient's care. This ensures that the patient's wishes are respected and followed according to legal documentation.

Obtaining the actual document allows the healthcare team to review the specific instructions and ensure they apply to the current situation. It also protects the hospital and staff from potential legal issues.

Initiating comfort measures or withdrawing care without first verifying the advance directive could be premature and potentially go against the patient's true wishes if the family's information is incorrect or incomplete. Similarly, continuing aggressive treatment without confirming the directive could violate the patient's expressed wishes.

Consulting the ethics committee is a good step, but it should typically occur after the advance directive has been obtained and reviewed, as the committee will need this information to make informed recommendations.