Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN) Practice Exam

What is the general term for a document that provides health care directions for a person incapable of making their own decisions?

1. Living will

2. Power of attorney

3. Health care proxy

4. Advance directive

The correct answer is: Advance directive

The term "advance directive" encompasses any legal document that provides guidance regarding an individual’s health care decisions in situations where they are unable to make those decisions themselves. This includes various types of documents, such as a living will or a durable power of attorney for health care, which outline a person's wishes regarding medical treatment and designate someone to make decisions on their behalf. Advance directives are critical in ensuring that a person’s health care preferences and values are respected even when they are incapacitated. They are legally recognized documents that can facilitate communication between healthcare providers and family members, helping to avoid confusion and potential conflicts regarding care. This is particularly relevant in the field of neuroscience nursing, where patients may have severe neurological conditions affecting their decision-making abilities. While living wills and powers of attorney are forms of advance directives, referring to the document generically as an advance directive is the most comprehensive and accurate way to describe this legal framework.