Which ethical principle emphasizes respecting a patient’s right to make their own decisions?

• A. Autonomy
• B. Beneficence
• C. Justice
• D. Nonmaleficence

Answer: (A)

Respecting a patient’s right to make their own decisions is autonomy. In healthcare ethics, autonomy means honoring individuals’ values, preferences, and choices, provided they are competent and informed. This includes obtaining informed consent, supporting the patient’s understanding of options, and respecting a decision even if it differs from what the clinician would choose.

For example, when a patient willingly declines a proposed treatment after being fully informed of the risks and benefits, autonomy is at work by recognizing their right to self-determination. Other principles do different things: beneficence focuses on acting to promote the patient’s good, nonmaleficence on avoiding harm, and justice on fairness and equitable treatment. While these are all important, autonomy directly centers the patient’s right to decide what happens to their own body and care.