Which are legal documents that allow people to choose what medical care they wish to have if they cannot make those decisions themselves?

• A. Advanced directives
• B. HMO
• C. Care plan
• D. None

Answer: (A)

Advanced directives are legal documents that let a person spell out what medical care they want or do not want if they can’t communicate or make decisions. They typically include a living will, which states preferences for treatments like resuscitation and life support, and a durable power of attorney for healthcare, which designates someone to make medical choices on the person’s behalf. These documents guide doctors and families and ensure the patient’s wishes are followed even when they lack capacity. In home health care, you’ll encounter advanced directives and should respect them, verify their existence, and communicate wishes to your supervising nurse or physician to keep the care plan aligned. The other terms refer to different concepts: an HMO is a health insurance/managed care plan, a care plan is a planned approach to ongoing care, and “none” isn’t a legal document.