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Browse the Medical Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

advance directive

Main Entry:: ad·vance di·rec·tive
Pronunciation:: \əd-ˈvan(t)s-də-ˈrek-tiv, -dī-\
Function:: noun

: a legal document (as a living will) signed by a living competent person in order to provide guidance for medical and health-care decisions (as the termination of life support and organ donation) in the event that the person becomes incompetent to make such decisions

Learn more about "advance directive" and related topics at Britannica.com

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