Which statement best defines autonomy in patient care?

• A. Beneficence guides patient decisions
• B. The patient’s right to make their own health care decisions
• C. Justice ensures fair access to resources
• D. Nonmaleficence means avoiding harm to others

Answer: (B)

Autonomy in patient care means respecting a patient’s right to make their own health care decisions based on their values and preferences, as long as they have the capacity to decide and can understand the information provided. This is why the statement describing the patient’s right to make their own health care decisions is the best definition, because it centers the individual's control over choices and the need for informed, voluntary consent. The other ethical principles—beneficence (doing good), justice (fair distribution of resources), and nonmaleficence (avoiding harm)—are important aspects of care, but they describe different responsibilities or aims rather than define the patient’s decision-making authority.