Which action demonstrates proper handling of a patient’s advance directive?

• A. Respect patient wishes only if documented on paper; otherwise ignore.
• B. Respect patient wishes as documented and discuss them with the care team; ensure care aligns with the directive.
• C. Overrule directives if the team believes different care is better.
• D. Store directives in a locked file and never discuss with patient.

Answer: (B)

Advance directives are the patient’s instructions about medical care when they can’t speak for themselves. The best action is to honor those wishes as documented and discuss them with the care team, ensuring the care plan aligns with the directive. This means confirming the directive is current and applicable, identifying who can interpret it if needed, and documenting decisions in the chart so every provider follows them. If there’s any ambiguity, seek clarification or input from ethics or palliative care rather than guessing or changing course on your own. In short, follow the patient’s documented preferences and integrate them into care through clear team communication.