Upon admission for an appendectomy, the patient provides the nurse with a document that specifies instructions his healthcare team should follow in the event he is unable to communicate these wishes postoperatively. This document is best known as a/an:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: An advance directive is a legal document that specifies a person's healthcare preferences and instructions for medical treatment in the event they are unable to communicate their wishes. It typically includes decisions about life-sustaining treatments, resuscitation, and end-of-life care. In the scenario provided, the document provided by the patient to the nurse outlining his healthcare team's instructions postoperatively indicates that he has an advance directive in place to guide his medical care if necessary. In contrast, informed consent is a process in which a patient gives permission for medical treatment after being informed about the risks, benefits, and alternatives. Patient's Bill of Rights outlines the patient's rights within the healthcare system, and an insurance card provides information about the patient's insurance coverage.