Which legal document should T.H. formulate to describe his wishes regarding being placed
on a "breathing machine"?
a. Standard will
b. Living will
c. Health care power of attorney
d. Living trust
b
Although powers of attorney and living wills will both see that his wishes are carried out, each
document does so in a different manner. The living will would inform doctors and family members
of his wishes regarding medical care, including being placed on a mechanical ventilator. The health
care power of attorney allows T.H. to appoint another person the power to make decisions regarding
his medical treatment only if he is unable to make the decisions himself. Living trusts and standard
wills cannot be used to communicate health care decisions.
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