Health care team obtains permission from the patient before proceeding with the surgery. The ethical principle that describes this act is called:

Appeared in: AIIMS Raipur NO - 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

Respect for autonomy is the ethical principle that recognizes a patient's right to make their own decisions about their health care, free from external control.
Obtaining permission or informed consent before a procedure is the practical application of this principle, acknowledging the patient's independence.
This act empowers the patient to be the ultimate decision-maker in their treatment plan, honoring their self-determination and personal values.
It involves informing patients about the risks, benefits, and alternatives to a procedure so they can make a voluntary and informed choice.

Option A: Accountability refers to being answerable for one's own actions and professional conduct. While important for the surgical team, it does not describe the act of seeking the patient's permission.
Option B: Non-maleficence is the principle of 'do no harm'. While the surgical team must avoid harming the patient, this principle doesn't specifically address the patient's right to give permission.
Option C: Beneficence is the principle of acting in the patient's best interest or 'doing good'. While the surgery is intended to benefit the patient, this principle does not encompass the patient's right to refuse that benefit.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Safe nursing care depends on performing Ethical Principles in Nursing in the correct sequence, documenting the action clearly, and monitoring for the expected response.
In daily nursing practice, respecting autonomy is fundamental to the informed consent process. It's a nurse's responsibility to confirm that the patient understands the information provided by the physician and that the consent is voluntary.
A nurse acts as a patient advocate by ensuring that any questions the patient has are answered before a consent form is signed and by supporting the patient's decision, even if it conflicts with the healthcare team's recommendations.
What if? If a patient is unconscious and requires immediate life-saving surgery, the principle of implied consent is often invoked. This operates under the ethical assumption that a reasonable person would consent to treatment to save their life, temporarily allowing beneficence (doing good) to take precedence over explicit autonomy.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key action in the question stem: 'obtains permission from the patient before... surgery'.
Analyze the meaning of this action. Getting permission is about acknowledging someone's right to say 'yes' or 'no'.
Connect this action to the provided options. Which ethical term means 'self-rule' or the right to make one's own choices?
Evaluate each option: 'Accountability' is about responsibility. 'Non-maleficence' is about not harming. 'Beneficence' is about doing good.
'Respect for autonomy' directly relates to respecting a person's independence and right to choose. This is the best fit for obtaining permission.
Therefore, the act of getting consent directly demonstrates respect for the patient's autonomy.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Ethical Principles in Nursing
Stem keywords: health care team, permission, patient, surgery, ethical principle
Lead-in keywords: describes this act

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 2 p. 81-83

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 112-114

Practise the full AIIMS Raipur NO - 2019 (Shift-1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.