A person chosen by another to make medical decisions if the second person becomes unable to do so is called a what?

• A. Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)
• B. Health Care Proxy
• C. Living Will
• D. Hospice

Answer: (B)

A health care proxy is a person you designate to make medical decisions for you if you’re not able to communicate or decide for yourself. This role is about who has the authority to decide, based on your values and preferences, when you can’t speak for yourself. It’s often part of an advance directive, sometimes called a durable power of attorney for health care, and it ensures someone you trust is in charge of decisions like treatments, surgeries, or end-of-life care.

This differs from a living will, which records the specific treatments you do or don’t want, but does not appoint someone to make decisions for you. A Do Not Resuscitate order is a specific directive about whether to perform CPR in an emergency. Hospice is a type of care focused on comfort and quality of life at the end of life, not on naming a decision-maker.