Which part of a medical record provides directions on the treatment of a patient?

The part of a medical record that provides directions on the treatment of a patient is the orders section. This section includes explicit instructions from healthcare providers regarding diagnostic tests, medications, therapies, and any other interventions that are to be implemented for the patient's care. Orders may detail the frequency and method of administration for medications, specify the protocols for treatment, and outline follow-up actions required.

In contrast, chart notes are typically used to document observations, patient interactions, and ongoing assessments made by healthcare providers, rather than direct treatment instructions. The patient history provides background information about the patient's past medical conditions, medications, and familial health issues to help inform treatment decisions, but does not itself dictate treatment. The diagnosis section contains the formal identification of a patient's condition, which is crucial for understanding the context of the treatment but does not provide specific instructions. Therefore, the orders section is essential as it translates clinical information into actionable treatment plans, guiding the healthcare team's approach to patient care.