Which approach should be avoided because it conflicts with a patient’s autonomy and ignores their wishes while aiming to promote their best interest?

Which approach should be avoided because it conflicts with a patient’s autonomy and ignores their wishes while aiming to promote their best interest?

• A. Paternalism
• B. Beneficence
• C. Autonomy
• D. Shared decision-making

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is respecting a patient’s right to make their own health decisions. Paternalism is when a clinician decides what’s best for the patient and acts on that belief without adequately honoring the patient’s own wishes or values. This clashes with autonomy, which is about the patient controlling their own care after being informed and engaged in the process. While beneficence aims to do good for the patient, it doesn’t inherently require overruling the patient’s choices; it can align with autonomy when the patient agrees with the plan. Shared decision-making, on the other hand, actively involves the patient and supports their preferences. So, the approach to avoid in order to respect autonomy is paternalism, because it disregards the patient’s preferences in favor of the clinician’s view of what’s best.

The idea being tested is respecting a patient’s right to make their own health decisions. Paternalism is when a clinician decides what’s best for the patient and acts on that belief without adequately honoring the patient’s own wishes or values. This clashes with autonomy, which is about the patient controlling their own care after being informed and engaged in the process. While beneficence aims to do good for the patient, it doesn’t inherently require overruling the patient’s choices; it can align with autonomy when the patient agrees with the plan. Shared decision-making, on the other hand, actively involves the patient and supports their preferences. So, the approach to avoid in order to respect autonomy is paternalism, because it disregards the patient’s preferences in favor of the clinician’s view of what’s best.