Field Activity Paper (3-5 pages)

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

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:

1. Identify where you obtained the AD and explain its compliance with state law.
2. Conduct research (1-2 sources) to learn more about the AD in your state and explain how it works.
3. 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

1. What is a Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form?
2. When should this form be completed?
3. Who can complete the form?
4. 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.

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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.