Which statement best describes an advance directive?

• A. It allows you to clearly outline your decisions about end-of-life care
• B. It replaces the need for any physician input
• C. It only deals with financial matters
• D. It becomes void if you become unable to decide

Answer: (A)

An advance directive is a document that lets you clearly outline your medical preferences for times when you can’t communicate, especially decisions about end-of-life care. It explains what kinds of treatments you would or wouldn’t want in serious illness or at the end of life—such as whether to be resuscitated or to receive life-sustaining interventions—and may name a trusted person to make medical choices for you if you can’t decide yourself. This helps ensure your wishes guide your care and supports doctors and family during stressful moments. It does not replace input from a physician; clinicians still discuss options with you or your designated agent and make judgments based on medical realities. It isn’t about finances—that’s handled by wills or power of attorney for finances. And it’s designed to take effect when you’re unable to decide, not to become void simply because you’ve lost capacity; in fact that incapacity is precisely when the directive guides care, unless you revoke it.