End-of-Life Legal Considerations

End-of-life decisions and the accompanying legal ramifications related thereto are important matters to be considered and understood by nurse practitioners (NPs). This article focuses on 3 potential legal issues: creating advance directives with patients and their families, withholding or withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment, and do-not-resuscitate orders. The article also discusses improving communication about end-of-life care, thereby avoiding any potential legal pitfalls. Additionally, a legal case summary is provided to illustrate the importance of documentation in the patient's medical record, as well as an overview of advance care planning.