Which issue is identified as a common ethical dilemma related to patient rights?

• A. Care plans
• B. Advance directives
• C. End-of-life issues: organ donation
• D. Durable power of attorney

Answer: (B)

Respecting a patient’s autonomy and right to determine their own care is the central idea here. Advance directives are the tools that document a person’s treatment preferences for times when they can’t speak for themselves and name who should make decisions on their behalf. This directly protects patient rights by ensuring their wishes guide care, even in difficult moments. The frequent ethical tension arises when a patient’s documented wishes conflict with family opinions, clinicians’ judgments, or what seems medically feasible, so having clear directives helps resolve those dilemmas and honors the patient’s choices. Other options involve care planning, donor issues, or surrogate authority, which are important but do not center as directly on honoring the patient’s autonomous wishes in the moment as advance directives do.