Final answer:
An exception's stack trace does not include instructions on handling the exception. It does include a descriptive message, the method-call stack at which the exception occurred, and the name of the exception.
Step-by-step explanation:
The item that is not included in an exception's stack trace is d. Instructions on handling the exception. An exception's stack trace typically includes the following information: a. A descriptive message for the exception, which explains the nature or cause of the error; b. The method-call stack at the time the exception occurred, which lists the methods that were invoked leading up to the exception; and c. The name of the exception, which identifies the type of error that occurred. However, a stack trace does not provide instructions on how to handle the exception; such guidance is typically provided by the application's documentation or requires programmer's knowledge and intervention.