Certified Inpatient Coding (CIC) Practice Exam

Which document outlines a patient's end-of-life wishes, such as a living will?

1. Acknowledgement of Patient Rights

2. Patient Care Plan

3. Consent to Special Procedures

4. Advance Directives

The correct answer is: Advance Directives

The document that outlines a patient's end-of-life wishes, including those specified in a living will, is referred to as Advance Directives. Advance directives are formal documents that allow individuals to communicate their preferences regarding medical treatment and interventions in situations where they may be unable to express their wishes. This includes decisions about life-sustaining treatment, palliative care, and other aspects of healthcare related to end-of-life decisions. Advance directives serve an essential function in ensuring that a patient's values and wishes are respected, providing guidance to healthcare providers and families during critical times. They are often created in collaboration with healthcare professionals to ensure that the directives align with legal requirements and medical ethical standards. Other options serve different purposes: Acknowledgement of Patient Rights focuses on informing patients of their rights within the healthcare system, the Patient Care Plan details the overall plan for patient care including treatments and therapies, and Consent to Special Procedures is about obtaining permission for specific medical procedures, not about end-of-life wishes. Each of these documents plays a vital role in patient care, but only advance directives specifically address a patient's preferences regarding end-of-life care.