Final answer:
An advance directive is an example of an authorizing mechanism that allows individuals to stipulate their healthcare preferences for situations where they cannot communicate or make decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student has asked which option is an example of an "authorizing mechanism." An authorizing mechanism is a formal method by which authority is granted to make decisions or perform actions. Among the options, an advance directive serves as an authorizing mechanism by allowing individuals to provide written instructions about their healthcare preferences in the event that they become unable to communicate or make decisions for themselves. A well-known example of an advance directive is a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order, where a person indicates their wish not to receive CPR or other life-sustaining treatments should their heart stop or they stop breathing.