Which term describes the legal right of a patient to make decisions about medical care based on personal values?

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

Answer: (D)

Patient autonomy is the right of individuals to decide their own medical care in line with personal values. Autonomy means a patient can understand information about options, consider the consequences, and make a voluntary choice about treatment. This concept is the foundation of informed consent, where care is provided only after the patient agrees, with capacity to decide. It stands in contrast to beneficence and nonmaleficence, which describe clinicians’ duties to act for the patient’s good and to avoid harm, and to paternalism, where clinicians decide for the patient without respecting their preferences. Therefore, autonomy best describes the legal right of a patient to determine their care based on personal values. Legal safeguards continue to support autonomy when patients can consent, using advance directives or surrogate decision-makers if capacity is impaired.