What document designates a health care proxy for making decisions on behalf of an incapacitated client?

The document that designates a health care proxy for making decisions on behalf of an incapacitated client is the durable power of attorney for health care. This legal instrument specifically allows an individual to appoint another person to make medical decisions for them if they are unable to do so themselves. The proxy designated within this document is empowered to make choices regarding medical treatment, interventions, and end-of-life care in accordance with the wishes of the individual who created the document.

A durable power of attorney for health care stands out because it is specifically tailored for health care decisions, contrasting with other documents. For instance, a health care directive typically outlines a person's preferences regarding medical treatment but does not necessarily designate someone to make decisions on their behalf. Medical consent forms are generally used to obtain agreement to proceed with specific medical treatments or procedures rather than to outline decision-making authority. A living will, while it indicates a person's wishes regarding end-of-life care, does not delegate decision-making authority to another individual.

Thus, the durable power of attorney for health care is specifically designed to ensure that a trusted person can step in to make crucial medical decisions in situations where the original decision-maker is no longer capable, aligning with the needs of patients who may face incapacitation.