Which of the following is an example of an agent in a healthcare context?

In a healthcare context, an agent refers to an individual who acts on behalf of another, particularly in dealings related to healthcare decisions or actions. The correct answer highlights an example where a friend is stepping into a role that involves responsibilities linked to healthcare management—picking up a prescription. This action indicates that the friend is acting as an agent for the patient, ensuring the patient receives their medication.

When someone picks up a prescription, they may be engaged in a transaction that requires the necessary authority or representation for the patient, a defining characteristic of an agent relationship. The implication is that the friend has been entrusted by the patient to handle this specific responsibility, thus embodying the role of an agent in this context.

In contrast, simply visiting a patient or asking for test results does not imply any official or authorized representation of the patient in a healthcare setting. Discussions about treatment conducted by healthcare professionals relate to their role as providers and do not illustrate an agent relationship.