The Patient Self Determination Act is the federal law requiring federally funded institutions to inform clients of rights to prepare advance directives.

• A. The Patient Self Determination Act
• B. HIPAA Privacy Rule
• C. Affordable Care Act
• D. Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act

Answer: (A)

This item tests understanding of patient autonomy and how the health system supports advance directives. The Patient Self Determination Act requires facilities that receive federal funds to inform patients about their right to prepare advance directives and to provide information on how to do so. It also mandates documenting whether a patient has an advance directive and ensuring staff honor those directives in care decisions. In practice, this means you check for directives on admission, discuss options with patients, and ensure the directive is accessible in the chart so care aligns with the patient's wishes. The other options address different areas—HIPAA governs patient privacy, the Affordable Care Act covers broader reforms, and EMTALA requires emergency stabilization and treatment regardless of directives—so they don’t fit the scenario as specifically as the PSDA does.