Which ethical principle emphasizes respecting a client's right to make their own decisions about care?

• A. Autonomy
• B. Beneficence
• C. Nonmaleficence
• D. Justice

Answer: (A)

Respecting a client’s right to make their own decisions about care is autonomy. In healthcare, autonomy means acknowledging and supporting a person’s capacity to choose, informed by complete information and voluntary consent, even when their choice differs from what a clinician might prefer. It involves presenting options clearly, respecting the patient’s values and preferences, and allowing them to guide their own treatment plan. This focus on individual decision-making sets autonomy apart from other principles: beneficence centers on acting in the patient’s best interest, nonmaleficence on avoiding harm, and justice on fair access and distribution of care. When a patient freely decides to accept or decline a treatment after being informed, autonomy is being honored.