Which component of an advance directive allows individuals to specify preferred life-sustaining treatments?

The living will is a crucial component of an advance directive that allows individuals to clearly outline their preferences regarding life-sustaining treatments in the event that they become unable to communicate their wishes. This document typically addresses a range of medical issues such as the use of resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, and other life-prolonging measures.

By detailing specific preferences about medical interventions, a living will helps ensure that medical personnel and family members understand the individual's intentions regarding their care. This can provide peace of mind to both the patient and their loved ones, knowing that decisions made in critical situations align with the patient's desires.

In contrast, while a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order specifically instructs health care providers not to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), it does not cover the broader range of life-sustaining treatments that can be addressed in a living will. The health care proxy designates someone to make medical decisions on behalf of the individual, and a medical power of attorney allows a designated person to make legal and financial decisions, but neither of these documents specifies preferences regarding medical treatment directly.