Define an advance directive and describe its two common components.

• A. A legal document outlining patient preferences for care and designating a surrogate decision-maker; components typically include a living will and durable power of attorney for health care
• B. A hospital form for expressing preferences; components are a consent to treatment and a physician referral
• C. A financial power of attorney and a will; components include a living trust and guardianship
• D. A patient registry for clinical trials and a do-not-resuscitate order

Answer: (A)

An advance directive is a legal document that records a person’s preferences for medical care in case they cannot speak for themselves and often names someone to make decisions for them. It usually has two parts. The living will states which medical treatments the person wants or does not want in specific situations, such as decisions about resuscitation, intubation, tubes for feeding or breathing, and the use of comfort-focused care. The durable power of attorney for health care designates a trusted person to make medical decisions on the patient’s behalf when they are unable to decide, guided by the patient’s stated wishes or known values. Together, these components ensure that future care aligns with the individual’s wishes and provides a clear decision-maker to act when needed.