What it means
Usually the client, as long as they have the capacity to understand their choices. When a client cannot decide, a surrogate decision-maker does it for them: a health care proxyHELTH KAIR PROK-seeA person a client chooses in a legal document to make health care decisions for them if they cannot decide for themselves.Full entry named in an advance directive, a court-appointed guardian, or a family member in the order set by state law. The surrogate should decide as the client would have wanted.
For the nurse
Find out who the legal decision-maker is early, chart it, and include them in care planning.
At a glance
| Also written | decision-makers, decision maker, decision makers |
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Related terms
autonomy
A person's right to make their own choices about their body and their care.
advance directive
A legal document in which a person states their wishes for medical care, for a time when they cannot speak for themselves.
health care proxy
A person a client chooses in a legal document to make health care decisions for them if they cannot decide for themselves.