Distinguishing between life-saving and life-sustaining treatments: when the physician and spouse disagree.

There is a fine distinction between life-saving measures and life-sustaining ones. In the case presented below the husband of a wife with cancer did not understand the continuation of life-sustaining treatment after the decision to reject life-saving measures was made. This resulted in a conflict between the husband and physician that placed the nurse, as family advocate, in the middle. The case is followed by an analysis with recommendations on how to handle this type of situation.

Durable power of attorney: nursing implications.

Written, witnessed advance directives such as Durable Powers of Attorney and Living Wills communicate patients' care preferences. The critical care nurse must be knowledgeable about these legal documents to be able to effectively uphold the specific care requests. The authors define advance directives and outline the role of the nurse in execution of these directives.

The Safe Medical Device Act: nursing implications.

The Safe Medical Device Act places a legal responsibility on health care practitioners to assess and report malfunctioning medical equipment. As a result of this law, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will for the first time have direct regulatory authority over hospitals. Today's complex and technological critical care setting requires that the nurse understand the legal and professional responsibilities imposed by this Act.