Which statement about advanced directives is true?

Which statement about advanced directives is true?

• A. A living will only.
• B. A health care proxy only.
• C. A general directive about hospital preferences.
• D. A living will and appointment of a medical power of attorney.

Answer: (D)

Advanced directives guide medical decisions when you can’t speak for yourself. The true form often includes both a living will and the appointment of a medical power of attorney (health care proxy). The living will states your preferences for end-of-life care in specific situations, while the medical power of attorney designates someone who can interpret and implement those preferences when you’re unable to communicate. A living will alone doesn’t designate a decision-maker, and a health care proxy alone may not specify your treatment preferences. A vague general directive about hospital preferences is too imprecise to guide specific medical decisions. So, combining a living will with the appointment of a medical power of attorney best reflects an advance directive.

Advanced directives guide medical decisions when you can’t speak for yourself. The true form often includes both a living will and the appointment of a medical power of attorney (health care proxy). The living will states your preferences for end-of-life care in specific situations, while the medical power of attorney designates someone who can interpret and implement those preferences when you’re unable to communicate. A living will alone doesn’t designate a decision-maker, and a health care proxy alone may not specify your treatment preferences. A vague general directive about hospital preferences is too imprecise to guide specific medical decisions. So, combining a living will with the appointment of a medical power of attorney best reflects an advance directive.