Which term describes the document that allows a person to designate someone to make medical decisions if they cannot?

• A. Advanced Directive
• B. Living Will
• C. Power of Attorney
• D. Medical Order

Answer: (A)

An advance directive is a legal document that lets you plan for medical care in advance, including naming someone to make decisions for you if you’re unable. This broad term is designed to cover both your treatment preferences and the appointment of a surrogate decision-maker, so it directly fits the idea of designating a person to decide when you can’t communicate your wishes yourself. A living will focuses on what treatments you want or don’t want, but doesn’t by itself appoint a decision-maker. A medical order translates care decisions into instructions for clinicians in specific situations, not who will decide. A power of attorney can designate someone to handle various matters, and when used for health care it functions as a health care proxy, but in the context of this question, the umbrella term that encompasses appointing a decision-maker is the advance directive.