In nursing ethics, which statement best describes patient autonomy?

• A. The nurse makes decisions for the patient when the patient is unable to decide.
• B. The patient has the right to make informed decisions about their care.
• C. The patient must always follow the physician's orders without question.
• D. Autonomy is not applicable in acute care settings.

Answer: (B)

Patient autonomy means the patient has the right to decide what happens to their own body and health care, based on information they can understand. The nurse’s job is to support that right by giving clear information about options, risks, benefits, and alternatives, checking that the patient understands, and ensuring the choice is voluntary. Decision-making capacity matters: when a patient can comprehend and weigh options, their decisions should guide care, even if time is limited. If a patient can’t decide, a legally authorized representative or an advance directive steps in, but autonomy isn’t abandoned—it’s just delegated to someone appropriate. Autonomy applies in all settings, including acute care, as long as the patient has capacity. The other statements imply the patient should not decide, must always follow orders without question, or that autonomy doesn’t apply in acute care, which undermines the fundamental right to self-determination.