EMALB First Responders (FR) Practice EXAM

When encountering a patient with conflicting advance directives, which document should an EMA adhere to?

1. The older directive

2. The latest dated document

3. Only verbal instructions from family

4. The directive from the treating physician

The correct answer is: The latest dated document

In situations where there are conflicting advance directives, the latest dated document is generally considered the most authoritative. This approach reflects the intent of the patient at the time the directive was created, recognizing that their wishes may have changed over time. Advance directives are legal documents that a person creates to ensure their healthcare preferences are respected, and the most recent directive typically serves to revoke or modify any prior instructions. The principle behind this is rooted in the need for clarity and specificity regarding a patient's wishes for their medical treatment. Consequently, adhering to the latest dated document helps to avoid confusion and potential legal complications that could arise from following an outdated directive. This ensures that the healthcare professionals involved are operating under the most current understanding of the patient's desires, which is crucial in emergency situations where time is of the essence. While verbal instructions from family and directives from treating physicians are important considerations, they may not carry the same legal weight as a documented advance directive. The older directive would also be disregarded in favor of the most recent one, as it can lead to disputes regarding patient intent. Thus, following the latest dated document allows EMAs to act in alignment with the patient’s most recent preferences.