Final answer:
Living wills, advance directives, and health care proxies are legal instruments that ensure individuals' medical preferences are respected when they are unable to make decisions due to illness, highlighting the importance of self-determination in end-of-life care.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tools such as living wills, advance directives, and health care proxies are designed to protect the self-determination of people who are unable to make decisions about their care due to illness. These instruments specify an individual's preferences regarding medical treatment and interventions in the event that they cannot express their wishes.
A living will delineate the treatments a person wishes to receive or avoid, while a health care proxy appoints someone to make medical decisions on the patient's behalf. The inclusion of a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is an example of directing medical personnel not to undertake resuscitation efforts if the patient's heart stops beating or they cease breathing. The use of these legal documents is often influenced by factors such as personal values, religion, culture, and upbringing.