Which term denotes the right to make decisions about one's own care?

• A. Autonomy
• B. Justice
• C. Fidelity
• D. Veracity

Answer: (A)

Autonomy is the right to make decisions about one's own care. It means patients should be able to choose among options after receiving clear, relevant information, and those choices should be respected as long as the person has the capacity to decide. In healthcare, honoring autonomy is enacted through informed consent, where risks, benefits, and alternatives are shared and the patient can accept or refuse treatment based on their values and preferences. The other terms describe different ethical obligations—justice is about fairness and equal access to care, fidelity is about keeping promises and staying faithful to commitments, and veracity is about honest communication—but they do not specifically capture the personal authority to decide one’s own medical treatment.