Which document appoints a health care proxy to make decisions when the patient cannot?

• A. Living Will
• B. Durable Power of Attorney
• C. Informed Consent
• D. Do Not Resuscitate

Answer: (B)

A durable power of attorney for health care is the document that designates a trusted person to make medical decisions when the patient cannot communicate or make choices themselves. This power is durable, meaning it stays in effect if the patient becomes incapacitated, so the chosen health care proxy can step in to advocate for the patient’s values and preferences in real time.

This differs from a living will, which states the patient’s wishes about specific treatments in certain situations but does not appoint anyone to decide on their behalf. It also differs from informed consent, which is the patient’s or their proxy’s agreement to a particular procedure or treatment, not a standing appointment for decision-making. A Do Not Resuscitate order directs whether resuscitation should be attempted but does not appoint a decision-maker.

So, the document that best fits appointing a health care proxy to act when the patient cannot is the durable power of attorney for health care.