Which is the most appropriate first step for a new nurse seeking guidance on advanced directives for a patient?

• A. There is a department that handles requests for information/documents
• B. Ask another RN or your charge nurse
• C. The MD should be notified and possible come discuss with the patient if needed
• D. The patient should be instructed to follow up with their primary doctor after discharge

Answer: (B)

When a new nurse needs guidance on advanced directives, the first step is to turn to a more experienced nurse on the unit, such as another RN or the charge nurse. They know the hospital’s specific policies for locating and documenting a patient’s advance directives, who should be involved (for example, social work or ethics consults when needed), and the correct workflow to ensure the patient’s wishes are respected. This approach keeps the process grounded in established unit procedures and helps protect patient rights from the start.

Asking the MD or waiting for a discussion with the patient about directives can be appropriate later, but they are not the quickest or most appropriate first step for learning how to access and apply directives within the hospital. The department that handles requests for information or documents exists, but a new nurse should first consult the unit’s experienced staff to learn the proper contact and path. Telling the patient to follow up with their primary doctor after discharge misses the immediate, in-hospital process and can delay important decisions.