Which of the following is an example of an advance directive?

A living will is a type of advance directive that clearly outlines a person’s wishes regarding medical treatment in the event that they become unable to communicate those wishes themselves. This document typically specifies the types of medical interventions an individual would or would not want, such as life-sustaining treatments or resuscitation efforts, should they be facing a terminal illness or incapacitating condition.

Advance directives, including living wills, serve a crucial role in healthcare by ensuring that individuals are treated in accordance with their personal values and preferences, even when they cannot actively participate in decisions about their care. This empowers patients and helps guide healthcare providers in making decisions that align with the patient's wishes.

In contrast, a health insurance policy relates to financial coverage for medical services; a medical record contains a patient's medical history and treatments, which does not dictate treatment preferences; and an emergency contact list is used to identify individuals to be contacted in case of urgent medical situations, rather than detailing preferences regarding medical care.