Question

Autonomy is considered one of the seven universal principles of health care ethics. Which of the following is an example of autonomy?

A) A physician performs health care screenings for impoverished patients.
B) A housekeeper in the hospital performs duties following safety procedures.
C) A health care practitioner makes competent decisions related to patient care.
D) An x-ray technician follows HIPAA regulations when displaying x-rays.

Answer 1

An example of autonomy in health care ethics is when a health care practitioner allows a patient to make an informed decision about their treatment, respecting their self-determination.

Step-by-step explanation:

Within the context of health care ethics, the principle of autonomy emphasizes the right of patients to make informed choices regarding their own healthcare. An example of autonomy in practice is when a health care practitioner ensures that a patient is fully informed and consents to a medical procedure or treatment. This acknowledges the patient's right to self-determination in the clinical decision-making process. For this reason, the correct answer is C) A health care practitioner makes competent decisions related to patient care, provided that it is understood that these decisions are made by the practitioner in the context of enabling patients to exercise their autonomy.