Nursing Legal and Ethical Issues: Autonomy

Autonomy as a free choice

Doing what one prefers and not being forced to do what one does not wish.

Four Components of Autonomy

Free Choice Effective Deliberation Authenticity Moral Reflection

Paternalism

Is taking away someones Autonomy.

Autonomy as effective deliberation

The choice is a result of a rational thought and includes complete information, mental competence to understand information, know the consequences and the decision is not biased.

Autonomy as authenticity

The choice is consistent with one's character.

Autonomy as a moral reflection

The choice is the result of freely chosen values and requires a measure of self-examination.

How to provide information

clarify roles determine patients values discuss options and consider their characteristics address patients ideas build a partnership

Beneficence

promotes someone's welfare. Requires us to act in a way that benefits others. Producing some good, doing no harm and preventing harm.

Autonomy is...

self-rule or self-determination. You have the capacity to freely choose and be the cause of one's own action.