Week 5 Field Activity
Paper
This paper will have three parts addressing two important
pieces of legislation related to the right of individuals to make health care
decisions for themselves.
Part I
The Advance Health Care Directive
Locate a copy of an advanced directive (AD) that complies
with the laws of the state in which you work. The organization in which you
work should have a copy of an advance directive that is given to patients. If
not, download your state’s Advance Directives here
http://www.caringinfo.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3289.
Complete the advance directive for yourself. Do not turn in your AD with your paper. The AD
is for your personal use.
In your paper, Part I:
Identify where you obtained the AD and explain its
compliance with state law.
Conduct research (1-2 sources) to learn more about the AD in
your state and explain how it works.
Discuss how easy or difficult it was to complete the AD.
Your comments should be specific and both objective and subjective. For
example, when you state your personal feelings, you must relate them to the
literature (textbook and research) that discusses this process and the difficulties
that many people face when completing an advance directive.
(Cite/ reference any sources you use to explore these
questions, including your texts.)
Part II
Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) Form
What is a Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment
(POLST) form?
When should this form be completed?
Who can complete the form?
Who needs to sign the form to make it a legal document?
(Cite/reference any sources you use to explore these
questions, including your texts.)
Part III
Tie the two first sections together by writing a summary and
conclusion.
This section should address:
1. the differences between an Advance Health Care Directive
and the POLST,
2. the RN’s important role in assuring the patient’s right
to autonomy in choosing the healthcare interventions the patient does or does
not want.
Use current APA format.
The paper should be between 3-5 pages in length excluding
the title and reference page(s).
Cite and reference the course text and at least two (2)
additional appropriate professional sources.
Review the rubric for further information on how your
assignment will be graded.
