What is a surrogate decision maker designated to do?

A surrogate decision maker is specifically designated to make health care decisions on behalf of a patient who is unable to make those decisions for themselves. This role is crucial in ensuring that the patient's wishes and best interests are considered regarding medical treatments and interventions. The surrogate is often a family member or close friend, and their authority typically arises from the patient's prior expressed wishes or, in the absence of such wishes, from the surrogate's understanding of what the patient would want based on their values and beliefs.

Each of the other options describes roles that do not pertain to the responsibilities of a surrogate decision maker. Making financial decisions for an estate pertains to executors or financial power of attorney, providing legal representation is the function of an attorney, and investigating public complaints falls under the purview of regulatory or compliance officers rather than a surrogate decision maker. Therefore, option C is the only one that accurately reflects the role and responsibilities of a surrogate decision maker in a healthcare context.