How can nurses promote patient autonomy during education and decision-making?

How can nurses promote patient autonomy during education and decision-making?

• A. Make decisions for the patient to save time.
• B. Provide complete information, respect choices, and avoid coercion; support informed decisions.
• C. Limit information to reduce anxiety.
• D. Coerce the patient to choose the clinician's preferred option.

Answer: (B)

Autonomy means honoring a patient’s right to decide about their own care. To promote this during education and decision-making, nurses share complete, understandable information about options, benefits, risks, and alternatives, and verify that the patient truly understands (using teach-back if needed). They listen to and respect the patient’s values and preferences, discuss how each option aligns with what matters to them, and support a decision without pressuring or coercing. This approach reinforces informed choice and self-determination. Choices that involve making decisions for the patient, limiting information, or coercing the patient do not support autonomy.

Autonomy means honoring a patient’s right to decide about their own care. To promote this during education and decision-making, nurses share complete, understandable information about options, benefits, risks, and alternatives, and verify that the patient truly understands (using teach-back if needed). They listen to and respect the patient’s values and preferences, discuss how each option aligns with what matters to them, and support a decision without pressuring or coercing. This approach reinforces informed choice and self-determination. Choices that involve making decisions for the patient, limiting information, or coercing the patient do not support autonomy.