Office Administrative Assistant Practice Exam 2025 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The document that outlines a patient's wishes regarding their healthcare in the event that they cannot express those wishes themselves is known as an Advance Directive. This legally binding document allows individuals to specify their preferences for medical treatment, including decisions related to life-sustaining measures, organ donation, and the designation of a healthcare proxy who can make decisions on their behalf if they become incapacitated.

Advance Directives play a crucial role in ensuring that patient autonomy is respected, even when the patient is not able to communicate their wishes. It serves as a guide for family members and healthcare providers to ensure that medical care aligns with the patient's values and preferences.

In contrast, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) primarily focuses on protecting patient privacy and confidentiality rather than directing healthcare decisions. The Patient Bill of Rights outlines the rights of patients in relation to their healthcare but does not specify individual treatment preferences. A Consent Form is used to obtain permission for specific medical treatments or procedures but does not encompass broader directives about future healthcare wishes should the patient be unable to communicate them.