Which of the following is an example of an advance directive that expresses end-of-life wishes?

• A. Living will
• B. Healthcare POA
• C. DNR order
• D. Medical directive

Answer: (A)

Advance directives are documents that communicate a person's medical preferences if they can't speak for themselves. A living will is a specific advance directive that expresses end-of-life wishes, spelling out which life-sustaining treatments should be used or withheld (for example, CPR, ventilation, feeding tubes) when the patient lacks decision-making capacity. That direct focus on end-of-life care makes it the best example of an advance directive addressing end-of-life wishes. A healthcare power of attorney designates someone to make decisions for the patient, rather than stating explicit care preferences. A DNR order is a medical directive restricting resuscitation in specific situations, but it’s a directive to providers rather than the patient's own stated end-of-life preferences. A medical directive is a broader term that may not specify concrete end-of-life choices as clearly as a living will.