Autonomy refers to

• A. patients rights
• B. do no harm
• C. benefit the patient
• D. confidentiality

Answer: (A)

Autonomy is the patient’s right to self-determination in their care. It means clinicians must provide clear information, ensure understanding, and obtain voluntary consent, honoring the patient’s values and choices—even when those choices differ from the clinician’s preferences. This principle centers on respecting the patient’s authority over their own body and treatment decisions, including the right to accept or refuse care and to control what information is shared. It’s distinct from nonmaleficence (do no harm) and beneficence (act to benefit the patient), which focus more on the clinician’s duties, and from confidentiality, which protects private information. Therefore, recognizing the patient’s rights to decide about their own care best describes autonomy.