What it means
An ongoing process in which a person thinks about their values and goals, discusses future treatment choices with family and providers, chooses someone to speak for them and records it in advance directives. In other settings ACP stands for the American College of Physicians, so read it in context.
For the nurse
Ask on admission whether the client has an advance directive and a health care agent, and place copies in the record.
At a glance
| Also written | advance care planning |
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Related terms
advocate
To speak up and act for a client's rights, safety and wishes; also, a person who does this.
autonomy
A person's right to make their own choices about their body and their care.
DNI
Do not intubate: an order that a breathing tube must not be placed, even if breathing fails.
Patient Self-Determination Act
A 1990 US federal law requiring health care facilities to tell adults about their right to make advance directives and to accept or refuse treatment.