Which principle supports respecting a competent patient's right to refuse treatment?

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

Answer: (C)

Autonomy means recognizing the patient as a capable decision-maker about their own body. When a patient is competent, they can understand information about options, appreciate the consequences, reason about the choices, and communicate a clear preference. If they choose to refuse treatment, the ethical obligation is to honor that decision, while ensuring they are fully informed and their capacity is intact. This respect for self-determination is what underpins informed consent and patient-centered care. Beneficence and nonmaleficence aim to do good and avoid harm, but they do not override a competent patient’s right to refuse. Justice concerns fairness in distribution and access, which is less about the individual decision in this scenario. In practice, confirm capacity, document the refusal, and offer information, alternatives, or palliative options as needed.