Health Care & Personal Decision-Making Flashcards

Regarding a ward's desire for an intimate relationship, the guardian should:

Answer: Respect the ward's right to consensual relationships while assessing capacity to consent and guarding against exploitation

Wards keep rights to relationships and intimacy, and the guardian balances autonomy with protection from abuse.

In many states, a ward under guardianship keeps the right to marry unless:

Answer: The court has specifically removed that right

Fundamental rights such as marriage are often kept unless the court order specifically removes them.

A guardian suspects their ward is being neglected in a nursing facility. The most appropriate action is to:

Answer: Report to Adult Protective Services and/or the long-term care ombudsman and act to protect the ward

Guardians must promptly report suspected abuse or neglect to the proper authorities and protect the ward's safety.

A living will typically addresses:

Answer: Preferences about life-sustaining treatment in terminal or permanently unconscious conditions

A living will states a person's treatment preferences for end-of-life situations.

When making significant medical decisions, a guardian should document:

Answer: The decision, the information considered, the ward's input, and the rationale

Thorough documentation shows the guardian acted prudently and followed the correct decision-making standard.

When choosing a ward's residence, NGA Standards favor:

Answer: The least restrictive setting that meets the ward's needs, preferably in the ward's home or community

Guardians should choose the least restrictive appropriate setting and give priority to the ward's home and community.

A ward who has some capacity wants to keep making their own daily choices about clothing and meals. Under a limited guardianship, the guardian should:

Answer: Let the ward keep making the decisions not specifically granted to the guardian

In a limited guardianship the ward keeps all rights not expressly given to the guardian, which promotes self-determination.