What is the nurse’s responsibility concerning patient autonomy?

The responsibility of the nurse concerning patient autonomy is to respect and support the patient's rights to make informed decisions about their care. This principle is fundamental to nursing practice and aligns with ethical guidelines that promote the individual's right to self-determination in healthcare decisions. By ensuring that patients receive all necessary information regarding their treatment options, risks, benefits, and alternatives, nurses empower patients to participate actively in their care. Respecting patient autonomy also involves listening to their preferences and values, fostering a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship built on trust and collaboration.

In contrast to this correct understanding, dictating treatment plans without considering the patient's input undermines autonomy and can lead to distrust. Prioritizing hospital policies over patient preferences can also compromise the quality of care and the patient's sense of agency. Moreover, limiting information available to patients would hinder their ability to make informed choices and could lead to feelings of confusion or helplessness, which is contrary to the goal of fostering autonomy in patient care.