In end-of-life planning, what term describes a person designated to make medical decisions on behalf of another when they cannot?

• A. Living Will
• B. Health Care Proxy
• C. Physician Assisted Suicide
• D. Slippery Slope

Answer: (B)

When you’re unable to speak for yourself, you need someone you trust to make medical decisions. That person is called a health care proxy (also known as a durable power of attorney for health care). The proxy is empowered to make treatment choices that reflect your values and wishes, or to work with your medical team to decide what's best if your preferences aren’t known. This role is a key part of advance care planning and is distinct from a living will, which states your treatment preferences but doesn’t appoint someone to decide for you. The other options describe either the document that records preferences (living will), a different end-of-life concept (physician-assisted suicide), or a logical fallacy (slippery slope), and don’t designate a decision-maker.