Advance directives for health care, often referred to as living wills, have become the ____ documents by which individuals can convey their wishes for care.

• A. Medical
• B. Ethical
• C. Legal
• D. Temporary

Answer: (C)

Advance directives are legal documents that let individuals specify their medical care preferences in advance to be followed if they cannot speak for themselves. Because living wills are formal instruments with recognized legal status, they hold authority in guiding treatment decisions and informing clinicians and surrogates about what care is acceptable or refused. This legal dimension is why they’re described as legal documents—they’re designed to be enforceable under the law, not just guidelines or opinions.

While living wills certainly address medical choices and reflect ethical considerations about patient autonomy, the standout feature that fits the blank is their legal nature. They are not merely medical statements, nor are they temporary; they’re intended to guide decisions over time and can be updated or revoked as a person’s preferences change.