Final answer:
A patient has the right to refuse care from a specific healthcare provider based on personal comfort and autonomy, and in this case, she can request not to be cared for by a male nurse without being denied care or charged more.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question concerns a patient's rights when receiving healthcare. In the scenario presented, a female patient does not want a male nurse to care for her. The correct answer is: c) The patient has the right to refuse care from the male nurse. Patients have the right to make decisions about their own healthcare, which includes the choice of a healthcare provider. This principle respects the patient's autonomy and comfort. A facility or nurse should attempt to honor the patient's request, provided that it does not compromise the patient's care or operational effectiveness.
It's crucial to balance the individual's right to receive care with other considerations, such as the rights of healthcare workers and the institution's ability to provide care. This situation does not mean the facility can refuse to care for the patient, and the patient should not be forced to accept care from the male nurse or be charged more for refusing treatment from him.