The Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA) guarantees which of the following?

• A. The right to make decisions regarding medical care, including the right to refuse treatment
• B. The right to free healthcare
• C. The right to choose any physician without consent
• D. The right to confidentiality is guaranteed in medical records

Answer: (A)

Patient autonomy in medical decision-making, including the right to accept or refuse treatment. The PSDA requires health care facilities to inform patients about advance directives, document whether an advance directive exists, and respect the patient’s right to make decisions about their care. This encompasses the ability to refuse or choose treatments in line with the patient’s preferences, and it emphasizes autonomy rather than mandating free healthcare, granting a blanket right to choose any physician, or redefining confidentiality. Confidentiality and privacy are governed by other laws, such as HIPAA, not the PSDA.