Ace the ANCC Exam 2025 – Ignite Your Nursing Superpowers!

The most appropriate action is to review the patient's advance directive with the spouse. This is crucial because advance directives provide clear indications of a patient's wishes regarding life-sustaining treatments and end-of-life care. In situations where a spouse is struggling with the decision to remove life support, referring back to the advance directive can help clarify the patient's previously expressed wishes. This not only serves to honor the autonomy of the patient but can also ease the emotional burden on the family member by providing guidance based on the patient's informed choices.

In such emotionally charged situations, it’s important to focus on the intentions and desires of the patient, as documented in their advance directive. This approach can foster understanding and empathy, allowing the spouse to feel supported rather than pressured in making such a significant decision. Engaging with the advance directive also helps to prevent potential conflicts within the family or with medical professionals regarding care decisions.

Other options, while potentially useful in different contexts, aren’t as immediately aligned with resolving the spouse's struggle regarding the patient's wishes. Consulting the ethics committee or encouraging a family meeting may be beneficial in some cases, but they do not directly provide the guidance rooted in the patient's own preferences as expressed in their advance directive. Discussing that removing the patient is the right thing to