A nurse advocates for a patient’s wishes in care decisions. What principle does this demonstrate?

• A. Beneficence.
• B. Nonmaleficence.
• C. Justice.
• D. Patient autonomy.

Answer: (D)

Respecting a patient’s right to make their own health care decisions is patient autonomy. When a nurse advocates for the patient’s wishes in care decisions, they are prioritizing the patient’s values, preferences, and consent, and supporting self-determination. This involves informing the patient about risks, benefits, and alternatives and honoring their decision, even if it differs from the clinician’s recommendation. While beneficence and nonmaleficence guide care toward doing good and avoiding harm, autonomy centers on the patient’s right to choose. Justice focuses on fairness in distributing resources, not on individual decision-making rights. So advocating for the patient’s wishes is a direct exercise of patient autonomy.