Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC) Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

A living will specifically outlines an individual’s preferences regarding life-prolonging treatments in the event that they become unable to communicate their wishes due to illness or incapacitation. This legal document is designed to provide guidance to healthcare providers and loved ones about what types of medical interventions a person desires or wishes to avoid, especially in critical situations such as terminal illness or severe injury.

It typically includes directions about the use of treatments like resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, or feeding tubes. By defining these preferences, a living will helps ensure that a person's autonomy and choices are respected, even when they cannot physically express them. This specific focus on life-prolonging treatment distinguishes it from other documents that may deal with organ donation, routine medical care, or financial arrangements, as those areas do not directly pertain to the decisions surrounding end-of-life medical care.