Which concept describes the patient's right for their own body, including choices like leaving against medical advice?

• A. Autonomy
• B. Beneficence
• C. Nonmaleficence
• D. Justice

Answer: (A)

Autonomy is the patient’s right to make decisions about their own body and treatment, including the choice to leave against medical advice. This principle centers on self-determination and informed decision-making—patients must have capacity, be given information about risks, benefits, and alternatives, and voluntarily choose their course of action. When a capable patient decides to leave AMA, that decision is respected because it reflects their control over their own care, even if it may conflict with what clinicians believe is best or may cause harm. The clinician’s responsibility is to ensure understanding, document the risks, offer alternatives if feasible, and arrange for safe discharge if possible. If a patient lacks capacity, a surrogate decision-maker or appropriate legal steps apply. Justice relates to fairness in distributing care, and beneficence and nonmaleficence guide care, but autonomy is the principle that most directly describes the patient’s right to decide about their own body.