Which document allows another person to make medical decisions if a patient loses capacity?

• A. A living will
• B. An advance directive
• C. A durable power of attorney for health care
• D. A do-not-resuscitate order

Answer: (C)

When a patient can no longer participate in decisions about their care, a designated surrogate is needed to make those choices. The durable power of attorney for health care is the document that names a specific person (an agent) to make medical decisions on the patient’s behalf when capacity is lost. This authority remains in effect even if the patient becomes unable to communicate or make decisions, allowing the agent to interpret the patient’s values and wishes or act in their best interests.

A living will, by contrast, states the patient’s preferences about treatment but does not appoint someone to decide for them. An advance directive can include both a living will and a designation of a health care proxy, but the instrument that authorizes someone else to decide is the durable power of attorney for health care. A do-not-resuscitate order governs whether CPR is performed, not who makes decisions.