CT CT Legal & Financial Aspects of Death

Question 1

What document allows a person to designate someone to make healthcare decisions on their behalf if they become incapacitated?

Accepted Answer

Durable power of attorney for healthcare

Answer

A durable power of attorney for healthcare designates a proxy to make medical decisions when the patient cannot speak for themselves.

Question 2

A living will is best described as which type of document?

Accepted Answer

A legal directive specifying a person's end-of-life medical treatment wishes

Answer

A living will outlines a person's specific wishes for medical treatment if they become unable to communicate those wishes directly.

Question 3

Which federal law requires healthcare providers to inform patients of their right to create advance directives?

Accepted Answer

Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA)

Answer

The Patient Self-Determination Act of 1990 mandates that healthcare facilities inform patients about their right to create advance directives.

Question 4

A Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) order directs healthcare providers to do what specifically?

Accepted Answer

Not perform CPR if the patient's heart or breathing stops

Answer

A DNR order specifically instructs providers not to attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the event of cardiac or respiratory arrest.

Question 5

What is the term for the court-supervised legal process for validating a will and distributing a deceased person's estate?

Accepted Answer

Probate

Answer

Probate is the legal process by which a deceased person's will is validated and their estate is administered under court supervision.

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