Texas Medical Assistant Certification Practice Test

Which document specifies a person’s wishes regarding life-sustaining treatments?

1. A medical power of attorney

2. A living trust

3. A living will

4. An advance directive

The correct answer is: A living will

A living will is a legal document that specifically outlines an individual's preferences for life-sustaining treatments in the event they become unable to communicate their wishes due to a medical condition. It provides clear instructions regarding the types of medical interventions the person would or would not want, such as resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, or tube feeding. This document serves to ensure that healthcare providers and family members are aware of the patient's desires, thereby guiding treatment decisions and helping to prevent unwanted procedures that could prolong suffering. While a medical power of attorney appoints an individual to make medical decisions on behalf of someone else, it does not convey the person's specific wishes regarding treatment. A living trust generally relates to the management of estate assets and does not address medical treatment preferences. An advance directive is a broader term that can include both living wills and medical powers of attorney; however, it is the living will component that directly specifies life-sustaining treatment preferences. Thus, choosing a living will is precisely the act of documenting specific wishes about medical interventions.