What is a healthcare surrogate/proxy?

• A. A person designated to make healthcare decisions for an incapacitated patient (either temporarily or permanently)
• B. A document allowing financial power of attorney
• C. A person who handles medical billing on behalf of a patient
• D. A temporary nurse assigned to document patient wishes

Answer: (A)

A healthcare surrogate/proxy is the person designated to make medical decisions for someone who cannot communicate or lacks decision-making capacity, either temporarily or permanently. This surrogate is chosen by the patient through an advance directive or healthcare proxy form and steps in to apply the patient’s known wishes or, if those aren’t known, to act in the patient’s best interests. The role kicks in only when capacity is gone and ends when capacity returns. The surrogate’s authority is focused on medical care, not finances, and they guide clinicians about treatments, consent, and discharge plans in alignment with the patient’s values. The other options describe roles unrelated to decision-making about medical care.