National Association of Boards of Long Term Care Administrator (NAB) CORE Practice Exam

Which document expresses a person's end-of-life wishes for medical treatment?

1. Guardian Appointment Order (GAO)

2. Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

3. Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA)

4. Oregon Death with Dignity Act (ODWDA)

The correct answer is: Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

The Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) is specifically designed to express a person's end-of-life wishes regarding medical treatment. POLST forms are actionable medical orders that reflect an individual’s preferences about life-sustaining treatments and other medical interventions. It is particularly relevant for patients with serious illnesses or those who are nearing the end of life, as it ensures their treatment preferences are respected by healthcare providers. The significance of POLST lies in its format; it is completed by a healthcare professional in collaboration with the patient or their surrogate decision-maker. This document travels with the patient across different healthcare settings, ensuring continuous care that aligns with their wishes, which is crucial in emergency situations where the patient's verbal communication might not be possible. In contrast, the other options do not primarily focus on expressing end-of-life medical treatment wishes. The Guardian Appointment Order pertains to the legal designation of a guardian for an individual, while the Patient Self-Determination Act encourages discussion about advance directives but does not serve as an actionable medical order. The Oregon Death with Dignity Act allows certain terminally ill patients to end their lives through self-administered medication, making it more about the process of assisted dying than about overarching medical treatment preferences at the end of life