What is the purpose of an advance directive?

The purpose of an advance directive is to outline a patient's preferences regarding medical treatment. This legal document is designed to express a person's wishes about the kind of medical care they would like to receive or not receive in the event that they become unable to communicate those wishes themselves, such as in cases of severe illness or incapacitation. Advance directives can address a range of medical decisions, including end-of-life care, life-sustaining treatments, and other healthcare preferences.

While the other options touch on aspects of medical care, they do not encompass the broader scope of what an advance directive specifically aims to achieve. For instance, providing instructions for medication dosages relates to prescription management rather than the individual's treatment preferences. Similarly, defining the role of healthcare providers is more about the professional obligations and responsibilities within a healthcare setting, and specifying nutritional needs focuses solely on dietary concerns rather than comprehensive medical decisions.