Which term describes an advance directive that lists medical treatments the client wants to omit or refuse if they become unable to make decisions?

• A. Instructional directive
• B. Durable power of attorney
• C. Health care proxy
• D. Informed consent

Answer: (A)

An advance directive that lists medical treatments the client wants to omit or refuse if they become unable to make decisions is a document that captures the patient’s wishes about withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining care for times when they can’t speak for themselves. It serves as a guide for clinicians to honor those specific refusals, such as resuscitation or aggressive interventions, once decision-making capacity is lacking.

This differs from designating someone to make decisions—the durable power of attorney or health care proxy—which assigns another person to decide on the patient’s behalf but doesn’t automatically specify which treatments should be withheld. Informed consent, on the other hand, is about agreeing to a proposed procedure or treatment while the patient currently has capacity.