Final answer:
Option (1). Advance directives are legal documents like living wills or health care proxies that specify a patient's treatment preferences in case they can't communicate their wishes themselves. They ensure patients' values and desired levels of medical intervention are respected, even at the end of life or in critical situations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The specific legal documents that direct relatives and care providers about the extent of treatment that may be given to patients who cannot speak for themselves are known as advance directives. An advance directive is a written legal document, such as a living will or health care proxy, which details specific interventions a person wishes to be carried out in the event they become incapacitated. Living wills often include details about the types of life-prolonging treatments an individual does or does not want to receive, such as mechanical ventilation or feeding tubes, and may also express wishes regarding pain management or hospice care.
A health care proxy is a legal document that appoints a specific person to make medical decisions on behalf of the patient if they are unable to speak for themselves. Another element that may be included is a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order, which indicates that if the patient stops breathing or their heart stops, medical personnel are instructed not to attempt revival.
Making these arrangements in advance allows individuals to convey their health care preferences and ensures that these wishes are respected, particularly at the end-of-life stages. This can significantly affect the quality of life for terminally ill patients, and it also aligns with many people's desire to die with dignity and within their ethical or cultural values.