Which document is often linked with patient decision-making about end-of-life care?

The connection between patient decision-making about end-of-life care and the correct option lies in the roles of living wills and advance healthcare directives. Both documents serve critical functions in expressing a patient's wishes regarding medical treatment when they are unable to communicate those wishes themselves.

A living will specifically outlines the type of medical treatment a patient desires or wishes to avoid at the end of life. It addresses scenarios where a person may be terminally ill or in a persistent vegetative state, allowing healthcare providers and family members to understand the patient's preferences.

An advance healthcare directive encompasses a broader range of preferences for medical care, including appointing a healthcare proxy or agent to make decisions on behalf of the patient. This document ensures that a patient’s wishes regarding medical treatment are honored, especially in critical situations.

By encompassing both the living will and advance healthcare directive, the combination effectively supports comprehensive patient decision-making about end-of-life care, making it invaluable in ensuring that individual preferences are respected during challenging circumstances.