A frail, elderly widow is admitted to the hospital after sustaining a fall. The client lives alone and has no living relatives. After cognitive testing reveals mild cognitive impairment, the interdisciplinary team on the Acute Care for the Elderly Unit recommends long-term care placement and that a durable power of attorney for health care (DPOA-HC) be established. When the client seems confused over what a DPOA-HC's responsibilities are, the nurse responds that:

Question

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A person designated by the individual to make health care decisions when the individual is not able is the definition of durable power of attorney for health care. A power of attorney is a person designated by the individual to make financial decisions when the individual is not able to or at his or her request. The definition of a guardian is a person appointed by the court to have care, custody, and control of a disabled person and to manage personal and/or financial affairs. A guardian is able to make many more decisions than just nursing home placement decisions.

A Frail, Elderly Widow Is Admitted to the Hospital After