An advanced directive is primarily used to ensure a person's wishes regarding medical treatment are carried out when they cannot communicate them.

• A. To designate a financial power of attorney
• B. To plan a funeral in advance
• C. To outline a person's wishes regarding medical treatment if they cannot communicate
• D. To determine health insurance premiums

Answer: (C)

An advance directive is a legal document that states a person’s choices about medical care in case they cannot communicate those decisions themselves. The key value is preserving autonomy by guiding clinicians and loved ones about what treatments to pursue or avoid during a medical crisis, such as decisions about resuscitation, life-sustaining measures, or preferred settings of care (like hospice).

This is why the option describing outlining a person’s wishes regarding medical treatment if they cannot communicate is the best fit. It directly addresses medical decisions when communication is not possible, and it can also name a healthcare proxy to make decisions on the person’s behalf if needed.

The other options don’t align with the core purpose: designating a financial power of attorney deals with finances, funeral planning focuses on post-death arrangements, and determining health insurance premiums concerns costs and coverage, not treatment preferences.