Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN Degree) Practice Exam

The ethical principle that pertains to the patient's right to make decisions regarding their own care is autonomy. Autonomy emphasizes the importance of respecting an individual's right to self-determination and choice. In the context of healthcare, this means that patients have the right to make informed decisions about their treatment options, participate in their care plan, and refuse treatment if they so wish, provided they have the capacity to do so. This principle is foundational to ethical nursing practice, as it requires healthcare providers to support patients in understanding their health conditions, the potential risks and benefits of different treatments, and to provide them with all necessary information to make informed decisions. Ensuring respect for autonomy promotes patient empowerment and can lead to better health outcomes, as patients are more likely to adhere to treatment regimens they have chosen themselves. Beneficence involves the obligation to act in the best interest of the patient, while justice relates to fairness and equality in healthcare. Veracity refers to truthfulness and the obligation to provide truthful information. Each of these principles contributes to ethical practice, but it is autonomy that specifically addresses the right of patients to control their own healthcare decisions.