Unitek Nursing History, Communication, And Wellness Practice Test

The main idea here is patient autonomy—the right of individuals to make their own health care decisions. Autonomy means recognizing that a person has the capacity to choose what happens to their body, based on understanding the options, benefits, and risks, and making a voluntary, informed decision. This principle directly supports the patient's ability to accept or refuse treatment, pursue preferences, and control their own care, which is why it underpins informed consent and self-determination in health care. Beneficence focuses on doing good for the patient, and nonmaleficence is about not causing harm, but neither alone guarantees that the patient’s preferences and choices are respected. Justice concerns fair distribution of care and resources. While these principles guide practice, autonomy is the one that most directly protects the patient’s right to decide.