According to patient responsibilities, what should patients do if they have an advance directive?

Patients with advance directives have a responsibility to inform their physicians about these documents because advance directives are meant to guide medical decision-making when a patient is unable to communicate their wishes. By sharing this information with their healthcare providers, patients ensure that their preferences regarding treatment, life-sustaining measures, and other end-of-life decisions are known and can be respected. It fosters a collaborative relationship between the patient and healthcare team, allowing for more personalized and ethically aligned care.

Keeping the advance directive a secret would hinder the medical team from honoring the patient’s wishes, while revising the document without informing anyone could lead to confusion and miscommunication about the patient’s current desires. Ignoring the advance directive during treatment would negate its purpose entirely, which is to provide clear guidance on the patient's healthcare preferences. Therefore, informing physicians is critical for the advance directive to be effective and respected.