Which documents are commonly included in advance directives?

• A. DNRs
• B. Living wills
• C. Advanced directives
• D. DNRs and living wills

Answer: (D)

Advance directives are documents that spell out a person’s wishes for medical care when they can’t communicate them. Two common components you’ll see are a living will and a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order. A living will specifies which life‑sustaining treatments a person would want or refuse under certain conditions, such as terminal illness or permanent unconsciousness. A DNR order is a directive to medical staff not to perform CPR if the person’s heart stops or they stop breathing. These two elements frequently appear together in advance care planning because they directly address what should or should not be done in critical situations. While an advance directive can also include other pieces, like naming a healthcare proxy, the living will and DNR are the most typical components.