The Importance Of Autonomy In Nursing

419 Words2 Pages

Autonomy involves the right of self-determination or choice, independence, and freedom. This is closely tied to informed consent because it requires that clients be provided clear and sufficient information to make good decisions for themselves (Ellis & Hartley, 2012, p. 291). This principle is an important ethical and legal principle. In this scenario there is a conflict between the physician’s choice and patient’s autonomy (that he wants to rescind his DNR order). According to CNO, Nurse should advocate for clients to acquire information before consenting to, or refusing, care, treatment (CNO, 2009, p. 7). “In Ontario, legislation and common law require that the wishes of clients or substitute decision-makers be respected” (CNO, 2009, p. …show more content…

Telling the truth or not intestinally deceiving or misleading patient. In this event not telling patient the truth about his choices can dismissed his self-esteem and reliability (Ellis & Hartley, 2012, p. 295). Edwards (2011) acknowledged that “the obligations to respect autonomy include the obligation to be truthful to the patient” (p.107). In given scenario, the physician should be discussing and updating the patient about his prognosis and plan of care, it violates the ethical principle of autonomy by not giving the patient the complete information and therefore no choice to decide for himself the future treatment plans. Edwards (2011) concluded that by keeping the necessary information from the person, the number of choices available to that person is reduced which inhibits her …show more content…

292). If the scenario is analyzed, and the physician’s is not discussing the plan and prognosis with the patient a question arises about the capacity of the patient. However, if no assessment of capacity is completed then this act takes us towards the ethical principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence. The healthcare provider must consider are such issues as client choice, informed consent, and the ethical principles of beneficence and nonmaleficence (Ellis, & Harley, 2012, p.