A patient with a terminal illness expresses a desire to not be resuscitated in the event of a cardiac or respiratory arrest. Which of the following is the most appropriate step for a medical assistant to ensure the patient's wishes are respected?
Ensure the patient has a documented advance directive such as a DNR order legally filed with their healthcare provider.
Promise the patient that their wishes will be remembered and respected by all medical staff involved in their care.
Make a note of their wish in their medical chart and reassure them it will be considered in their treatment plan.
Advise the patient to only verbally communicate their wish to family members to avoid any legal complexities.
For a patient's preferences regarding end-of-life care to be legally binding, they need to be documented in an advance directive, such as a living will or Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. It is important that the medical assistant relays this information to the healthcare provider so that the appropriate legal documents can be completed and integrated into the patient's medical record. Merely making a note in their chart without an official advance directive is not sufficient for legal compliance. Providing comfort measures only and a promise to remember their wish are compassionate responses but do not ensure that the patient's wishes will be legally respected during medical emergencies.
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