Intentions to select a given level of care when confronted with an ethicalissue: The impact of a living will

The aim of this study is to evaluate the level of care nurses intended to s elect in a potential situation of overly aggressive therapy, whether the pa tient had or did not have a living will. MANOVA revealed that the presence of a living will had a significant impact on nurses' decision making when s electing a level of care (p < .0001); this impact was noted for each constr uct in the theoretical framework (p < .005). Multiple regression analysis i ndicated the 86% of the variance in nurses' intention was determined by the cognitive component of their attitude and perceived professional norm (p < .0001). In summary, most of the nurses intended to respect the wishes expr essed by the patient in a living will.