Final answer:
A healthcare proxy has the legal authority to make medical decisions for a patient who cannot do so themselves, and patients can use living wills or the principle of autonomy to guide their medical treatment preferences. Hospice services provide end-of-life support, and DNR orders are a way for patients to refuse certain life-extending treatments.
Step-by-step explanation:
A health care proxy is someone who is legally authorized to make decisions on behalf of a patient. If a patient does not agree with an important medical decision, the patient can create or revise a living will or exercise their principle of autonomy to ensure their healthcare wishes are respected. A living will is a legal document that outlines a person's wishes regarding medical treatment, and may appoint a health care proxy as well. Moreover, in the context of serious illness, individuals might consider hospice services, which offer comfort and dignity in end-of-life care, typically outside a hospital environment.
The principle of autonomy is a key ethical consideration in healthcare, granting patients the right to self-determination regarding their medical decisions. Nevertheless, there are certain situations, such as when caring for minors, where parents provide consent on behalf of their children, considering children are generally not deemed competent to provide consent for themselves. It is also important to understand the implications and legalities of voluntary passive euthanasia in the United States, often carried out through advanced directives such as a DNR order.