A 68-year-old man is brought to the hospital due to 2 days of progressive shortness of breath and cough. He has a history of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and has had multiple recent exacerbations and several hospitalizations over the past year. During his last hospitalization, he had acute respiratory failure requiring endotracheal intubation. This prompted the patient to make a living will specifying that he does not want any resuscitative measures or invasive therapies in the event of a life-threatening emergency. On examination, he is lethargic and arousable only to noxious physical stimuli. His temperature is $37.2 \mathrm{C}(99 \mathrm{~F})$, blood pressure is $132 / 70 \mathrm{~mm} \mathrm{Hg}$, pulse is $102 / \mathrm{min}$, and respirations are $32 / \mathrm{min}$. Examination reveals diffusely decreased breath sounds, bilateral expiratory wheezes, and labored breathing. It is determined that he lacks decision-making capacity. His daughter says, 'I have been taking care of my father for many years and I know him better than anyone. He would not want any aggressive measures. Please just make him comfortable.' However, the patient's wife demands that everything be done to save her husband's life, including intubation if necessary. She insists that she knows what her husband would have wanted and threatens to file a lawsuit. Which of the following interventions is the most appropriate next step?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The living will reflects the patient's wishes and takes precedence over family disagreement.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The Nurse Practice Act and the American Disability Act are both examples of statutory laws. Statutory laws are laws enacted by a legislative body, such as a state or federal government, and are written down in a formal document. These laws are created to regulate specific areas of society, such as healthcare or civil rights, and are enforceable by the legal system. The Nurse Practice Act governs the practice of nursing, while the American Disability Act protects the rights of individuals with disabilities.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A misdemeanor is a type of crime that typically carries less severe penalties compared to felonies. It is characterized by fines or imprisonment of less than one year. This means that the given crime falls under the category of a misdemeanor, which is a less serious offense than a felony. It is important to note that misdemeanors are generally considered less severe crimes and are punishable by fines, probation, community service, or short-term incarceration.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: An unintentional tort is a legal wrongdoing that occurs due to negligence or carelessness rather than intentional harm. In this context, the tort is caused by negligence and malpractice, such as failing to implement interventions or safety measures, indicating it was not done intentionally.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory that takes the position that the value of an action is determined by its usefulness. An ethics of care is a nursing philosophy that directs attention to the specific situations of individual patients viewed within the context of their life narrative. Deontology considers an action to be right or wrong independent of its consequences. A categorical imperative is a principle, established by Immanuel Kant, that states that one should act only if the action is based on a principle that is universal.