Which of the following best describes 'advance directives' in patient care?

• A. A legal document that appoints a healthcare proxy and expresses treatment preferences in case of incapacity.
• B. A therapy program.
• C. A hospital dietary instruction.
• D. A staff scheduling guideline.

Answer: (A)

Advance directives are legal documents that let a person plan for care if they cannot speak for themselves. They typically name a healthcare proxy who can make medical decisions and specify the treatments the person does or does not want, such as resuscitation or life-sustaining measures. This protects patient autonomy and helps guide clinicians and families when the patient is unable to communicate. Other items listed, like a therapy program, dietary instruction, or staff scheduling guideline, relate to services or operations rather than a patient’s expressed wishes during incapacity.