Question

A nurse answers questions a client has about his condition so he can choose his course of treatment. The nurse does not offer her opinion and allows the client she is caring for to make his own choice. What is this principle known as?

1) autonomy
2) Nonmaleficence
3) Fidelity
4) Justice

Answer 1

The principle described is the principle of autonomy, emphasizing a patient's right to make informed decisions about their own health care, which aligns with informed consent.

Step-by-step explanation:

The principle being described in the scenario where a nurse answers questions about a client's condition without offering her opinion, allowing the client to choose his course of treatment, is known as autonomy. The principle of autonomy emphasizes that patients have the right to make decisions about their own health care based on full information, aligning with the concept of informed consent. This is in contrast to the principle of nonmaleficence, which dictates not causing harm, the principle of beneficence, requiring actions that benefit others, and the principle of justice, which strives for equitable care. To this end, care ethics also plays a role by valuing traits such as compassion and understanding in the resolution of care conflicts.