Which statement about a living will is correct?

Which statement about a living will is correct?

• A. A living will is a type of advanced directive.
• B. A living will designates a medical power of attorney.
• C. A living will records financial preferences.
• D. A living will is the only form of advanced directive.

Answer: (A)

Advanced directives are documents that guide medical care when you can’t speak for yourself. A living will is a specific form that states what kinds of life-sustaining treatments you would want or refuse in certain situations, such as irreversible illness or no chance of recovery. That makes it a type of advanced directive, so the statement is correct. It doesn’t designate who will make medical decisions for you—that role goes to a medical power of attorney (health care proxy) in a separate document. It also doesn’t record financial preferences—that area is handled by financial powers of attorney or other financial instruments. And there are other forms of advance directives besides a living will, such as appointing a health care proxy, so it isn’t the only form.

Advanced directives are documents that guide medical care when you can’t speak for yourself. A living will is a specific form that states what kinds of life-sustaining treatments you would want or refuse in certain situations, such as irreversible illness or no chance of recovery. That makes it a type of advanced directive, so the statement is correct.

It doesn’t designate who will make medical decisions for you—that role goes to a medical power of attorney (health care proxy) in a separate document. It also doesn’t record financial preferences—that area is handled by financial powers of attorney or other financial instruments. And there are other forms of advance directives besides a living will, such as appointing a health care proxy, so it isn’t the only form.