👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team🕐 Updated 2026-07-11🏷️ Management of Care🔖 Free to read, print, and share
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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Living Will and Power of Attorney on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!
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Def
Key facts
Living will = treatment wishes doc
DPOA = names healthcare decider
POA acts only when incapacitated
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Key
Key facts
Competent pt overrides POA
POA follows pt's known wishes
Healthcare POA ≠ financial POA
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Do
Nursing actions
Verify documents in chart
Honor living will directives
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Report
Notify / act now
POA conflicts w/ will → notify MD
Pt regains capacity → pt decides
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Quick Tip
A living will specifies desired and unwanted treatments (such as ventilation or tube feeding) for end-of-life situations.