Advance Directives: Following the Patient's Wishes.

The article presents suggestions for nurses to deal with advance directives in the U.S. It is stated that if there is no advance directive or designated healthcare surrogate, the healthcare team should consult a proxy about healthcare decisions of the incapacitated patient. It is said that nurses have the duty to be advocates for their patients, but that does not mean that each and every nurse should be prepared to race to the courthouse in case of any dispute.