Advance Directives and Patient Rights Flashcards
7 cards from real CHAA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Advance Directives and Patient Rights flashcards as text
Which document allows a patient to designate another person to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they become incapacitated?
Answer: Healthcare Power of Attorney
A Healthcare Power of Attorney (also called a healthcare proxy or durable power of attorney for healthcare) legally designates a surrogate decision-maker for the patient.
A patient presents at registration and states they have a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order. What is the MOST appropriate first action for the Patient Access associate?
Answer: Place a copy of the DNR in the medical record and notify the nursing staff
The associate should document and communicate the existing DNR to clinical staff so the order is respected throughout the patient's care.
Under the Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA), which of the following is a REQUIRED action for hospitals at the time of admission?
Answer: Provide written information about the patient's right to accept or refuse treatment and to formulate advance directives
The PSDA mandates that hospitals provide patients with written information about their rights regarding advance directives at the time of admission, but cannot require patients to have one.
A living will is BEST described as:
Answer: A written record of a patient's wishes regarding specific medical treatments if unable to communicate
A living will is an advance directive that documents a patient's specific wishes about medical treatments (e.g., ventilators, feeding tubes) when they can no longer communicate.
Which federal law establishes patients' rights to make decisions about their own healthcare and requires providers to maintain written policies on advance directives?
Answer: Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA)
The Patient Self-Determination Act of 1990 requires Medicare/Medicaid-participating facilities to inform patients of their rights to make healthcare decisions and to maintain written advance directive policies.
A patient's family member arrives and demands to know the patient's diagnosis, but the patient has not listed this individual on their HIPAA authorization form. The Patient Access associate should:
Answer: Decline to share information and explain that authorization is required
Without a signed HIPAA authorization or the patient's verbal permission, protected health information cannot be disclosed to anyone, including family members.
A POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) form differs from a standard advance directive primarily because it:
Answer: Is a physician-signed medical order that is immediately actionable by emergency personnel
A POLST is a medical order signed by a physician that translates patient wishes into actionable orders, allowing EMS and other providers to follow them without additional authorization.