What are advance directives?

• A. A medical chart listing all possible interventions.
• B. A legal document that ensures all decisions are guided by physicians' judgments.
• C. Written instructions about future medical care and appointing a surrogate; used to guide decisions when the patient cannot decide.
• D. A ritual performed before death.

Answer: (C)

Advance directives are written instructions about future medical care and the appointment of a surrogate to guide decisions when the patient cannot decide. They typically include a living will, which states preferences for treatment at the end of life, and a durable power of attorney for health care, naming someone to make decisions if the patient is incapacitated. They come into effect when decision-making capacity is lost due to illness or injury and help ensure care aligns with the patient’s values while guiding family and clinicians. They are legal documents that vary by jurisdiction. This description fits best because it captures both the patient’s wishes and a designated decision-maker, rather than just listing interventions or prescribing physician control, or describing a ritual.