What document outlines a patient's treatment preferences when they are terminally ill?

Get ready for the BPA Medical Office Procedures Test. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, with hints and explanations for each. Ensure your success!

The correct answer is the Living Will. A Living Will is a specific type of advance directive that explicitly details a patient's wishes regarding medical treatment in the event that they become unable to communicate their preferences due to a terminal illness or irreversible condition. This document expresses the types of medical interventions the patient desires or does not desire, such as resuscitation or the use of life-sustaining measures, ensuring that their treatment aligns with their personal values and wishes.

While other options provide important roles in medical decision-making, they serve different purposes. A Power of Attorney grants someone the authority to make financial or legal decisions but does not specifically outline medical treatment preferences. An Advance Directive is a broader term that encompasses various documents including both Living Wills and Health Care Proxies, but it does not focus solely on treatment preferences. A Health Care Proxy designates a person to make medical decisions on behalf of the patient if they are unable to do so themselves, but it does not itself outline specific treatment preferences.

Therefore, a Living Will is the most direct means through which patients can communicate their treatment choices when facing terminal illness.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy