Living will vs Durable power of attorney
How to tell Living will and Durable power of attorney apart when a board question makes them look alike.
Living will: written instructions for the care you want; durable power of attorney: names a person to decide for you.
Side by side
A living will states a patient’s preferences for future medical care, often end-of-life interventions, if they lose decision-making capacity.
Durable power of attorney designates a surrogate decision-maker to make healthcare decisions if the patient loses capacity.
A living will states a patient’s preferences for future medical care, often end-of-life interventions, if they lose decision-making capacity.
Durable power of attorney designates a surrogate decision-maker to make healthcare decisions if the patient loses capacity.
Written, signed instructions (for example no ventilation or CPR if terminal); no surrogate is appointed.
Names a health care agent who decides using the patient's known wishes once capacity is lost.
The trap
Living will gives instructions; durable power of attorney names the decision-maker.
The repair move
Before naming the answer, force the stem through the separator: Living will gives instructions; durable power of attorney names the decision-maker.
Try a free question
CoreA 70-year-old man writes a document stating that if he is ever in a terminal condition or persistent vegetative state, he refuses cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, artificial nutrition, and dialysis. He signs and dates the document in front of two witnesses. Which type of advance directive is this?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Living will (written advance directive). LIVING WILL is a written advance directive in which a patient specifies WHAT MEDICAL CARE they want or refuse in advance, anticipating future situations where they may lose capacity. Applies when patient is incapacitated. Can be specific (POLST/MOLST forms translate wishes into actionable medical orders) or general (broader instructions). Combined with durable power of attorney provides comprehensive advance directive coverage.
Why the other choices are tempting
- B. Durable POA designates a person, not specific treatments.
- C. Health care proxy is similar to durable POA.
- D. POLST/MOLST translates specific wishes into actionable orders for emergency providers.
- E. Surrogate decision-maker is similar to durable POA.
Flashcards
Tap a card to flip it.
What clue supports Living will?
Choose Living will when the stem gives this pattern: A living will states a patient’s preferences for future medical care, often end-of-life interventions, if they lose decision-making capacity.
What clue supports Durable power of attorney?
Choose Durable power of attorney when the stem gives this contrasting pattern: Durable power of attorney designates a surrogate decision-maker to make healthcare decisions if the patient loses capacity.
Quick answers
What is the fastest way to tell Living will from Durable power of attorney?
Living will: written instructions for the care you want; durable power of attorney: names a person to decide for you.
What is the key clue for Living will?
A living will states a patient’s preferences for future medical care, often end-of-life interventions, if they lose decision-making capacity.
What is the key clue for Durable power of attorney?
Durable power of attorney designates a surrogate decision-maker to make healthcare decisions if the patient loses capacity.
What is the common trap with Living will vs Durable power of attorney?
Living will gives instructions; durable power of attorney names the decision-maker.