Final answer:
Effective nursing actions to safeguard patient autonomy include obtaining informed consent, preserving privacy and dignity, protecting from harm, and maintaining confidentiality. These actions embody principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice.
Step-by-step explanation:
Examples of effective nursing actions that safeguard patients' autonomy are essential in the healthcare field. One way to support autonomy is by ensuring informed consent is obtained before any procedure or participation in a clinical trial. This means providing clear, comprehensive information so patients can make knowledgeable decisions about their own care. Another action is respecting patients' rights to privacy and dignity, which includes protecting their personal health information and preserving confidentiality. Additionally, patients should be protected from personal harm, emphasizing the principle of nonmaleficence, which works hand-in-hand with beneficence to ensure patients' interests are at the forefront of their care. Nurses and healthcare providers must be adept at navigating these ethical principles, including autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice to effectively advocate for and protect their patients.