Texas Medical Assistant Certification Practice Test

What does a living will allow a person to express wishes about?

1. Being kept alive using any and all means possible

2. Deferring decisions about life-extending treatment

3. Allowing family members to make choices

4. Refusing life prolonging measures when death is inevitable

The correct answer is: Refusing life prolonging measures when death is inevitable

A living will is a legal document that allows individuals to express their preferences regarding medical treatment and end-of-life care in situations where they may no longer be able to communicate their wishes due to incapacitation. Specifically, it enables people to refuse life-prolonging measures when they are faced with a terminal condition or when death is deemed inevitable. This means that if a person is in a situation where they are critically ill, and recovery is not expected, a living will can dictate that they do not wish to undergo aggressive medical interventions that would only prolong the dying process rather than improve their quality of life. This is an important aspect of patient autonomy, allowing individuals to ensure that their healthcare aligns with their values and desires during difficult times. In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the primary function of a living will. Being kept alive using any and all means or deferring decisions about life-extending treatment reflects different ideas around medical decision-making but do not capture the essence of the living will itself. Allowing family members to make choices pertains more to durable powers of attorney for healthcare rather than the specific directives provided in a living will.