Which statement is true regarding nurses' role in advance directives?

• A. Reassure client and family can change decision if competent
• B. Make decisions for the patient without input
• C. Ignore advance directives
• D. Refuse to discuss with family

Answer: (A)

Respecting patient autonomy means recognizing that advance directives are the patient’s expressed wishes about future care and that those wishes can be changed as long as the patient remains competent. The nurse’s role is to facilitate discussion, provide clear information about options, and ensure that any directives are documented and accessible. When the patient is still competent, they can revise or revoke their decisions, and the nurse should support and reassure both patient and family that this is allowed. This approach keeps care aligned with the patient’s current preferences and capacity.

The other statements miss the mark because making decisions for the patient without input bypasses autonomy, ignoring advance directives disregards the patient’s wishes, and refusing to discuss with family blocks essential communication that supports shared understanding and informed choices.