Which statement about health care agents is correct?

• A. They make medical decisions for the patient as specified in a power of attorney for health care
• B. They manage hospital billing
• C. They determine the patient's religious preference
• D. They override the patient's wishes without a power of attorney

Answer: (A)

Health care agents act as surrogate decision-makers when a patient cannot participate in medical decisions. Their authority comes from a power of attorney for health care, and they are responsible for making medical choices that reflect the patient’s known wishes and any advance directives. They do not handle hospital billing, they do not determine the patient’s religious preferences, and they cannot override the patient’s wishes without a valid power of attorney governing those decisions. In practice, EMS should identify any advance directives or the health care power of attorney and follow the patient’s documented preferences, using the agent only to the extent allowed by that document.