Who serves as the advocate for a patient unable to make their own medical decisions?

The correct answer is proxy decision maker. A proxy decision maker is specifically designated to make medical decisions on behalf of an individual who is unable to do so themselves, often due to incapacitation or a medical condition that impairs their decision-making capacity. This role is vital in healthcare settings, as it ensures that the patient's preferences and best interests are considered in the decision-making process.

In many cases, individuals may name a proxy through advance directives or healthcare proxies, allowing them to select a trusted person to act on their behalf. This ensures that their values and wishes are honored even when they cannot communicate them.

The other options, while related to advocacy in various contexts, do not fulfill the specific role of medical decision-making. An ombudsman typically addresses issues related to rights and complaints within care settings but does not make medical decisions. A personal representative usually handles legal and financial matters rather than medical ones. Similarly, a guardian appointed by a court may have broader responsibilities, including making medical decisions, but their appointment is a more formal and legal process that may not be as immediate or specific to the medical decision-making context as that of a proxy decision maker.