Autonomy in nursing means?

• A. The obligation to do no harm.
• B. The right to make one's own personal decisions, even when those decisions might not be in their best interest.
• C. Acting in the patient’s best interest.
• D. The commitment to tell the truth.

Answer: (B)

Autonomy means respecting a patient’s right to make their own decisions about their care. In practice, this involves providing clear, understandable information so the patient can make informed choices, obtaining consent, and honoring the decision even if others would choose differently. This concept stands in contrast to doing something for the patient’s perceived best interest without their input (beneficence) or simply avoiding harm or telling the truth. An example is a patient choosing to refuse a treatment after being fully informed; that choice reflects autonomy, assuming the patient has the capacity to decide. If decision-making capacity is lacking, a surrogate decision-maker or advance directive guides care.