What action demonstrates respect for patient autonomy during planning?

What action demonstrates respect for patient autonomy during planning?

• A. Make decisions for the patient without discussion.
• B. Delay planning until discharge.
• C. Involve the patient in decisions and document capacity and preferences.
• D. Prioritize family when patient lacks capacity and never document.

Answer: (C)

Respect for patient autonomy in planning means actively involving the patient in decisions about their care and making sure their preferences guide the plan as long as they have decision-making capacity. The best action is to involve the patient in decisions and document both their capacity and their preferences because this honors the right to self-determination and creates a clear record of what the patient wants, which is essential if capacity changes over time. Assessing capacity means checking whether the patient can understand options, appreciate consequences, reason about choices, and communicate a clear decision. Documenting preferences ensures the care plan aligns with the patient’s values and can be followed consistently across caregivers. The other options undermine autonomy: making decisions without discussion denies consent; delaying planning misses opportunities for input and continuity; and prioritizing family without documenting the patient’s wishes can lead to decisions that don’t reflect the patient’s values.

Respect for patient autonomy in planning means actively involving the patient in decisions about their care and making sure their preferences guide the plan as long as they have decision-making capacity. The best action is to involve the patient in decisions and document both their capacity and their preferences because this honors the right to self-determination and creates a clear record of what the patient wants, which is essential if capacity changes over time. Assessing capacity means checking whether the patient can understand options, appreciate consequences, reason about choices, and communicate a clear decision. Documenting preferences ensures the care plan aligns with the patient’s values and can be followed consistently across caregivers. The other options undermine autonomy: making decisions without discussion denies consent; delaying planning misses opportunities for input and continuity; and prioritizing family without documenting the patient’s wishes can lead to decisions that don’t reflect the patient’s values.