A competent adult patient refuses an offered psychiatric medicine after receiving an understandable explanation of its benefits and risks. Which ethical principle is most directly involved?

Correct answer: B. Autonomy

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

Explanation

Autonomy supports a competent patient’s right to make informed decisions, including refusing treatment. The nurse should assess understanding, document the refusal, inform the prescriber, and continue safe, respectful care.

Submitted by a TestUstad contributor and published by the TestUstad editorial teamLast updated
Report an error

The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.

Prefer email? support@testustad.com

About Foundations of Mental Health Nursing

Mental health nursing covers concepts of normal and abnormal behavior, major psychological theories, psychiatric assessment, the nurse’s therapeutic role, and the use of a safe therapeutic milieu. It also includes confidentiality, informed consent, patient rights, ethical decision-making, legal responsibilities, and individualized nursing care planning.

Practise Foundations of Mental Health Nursing

40 free Foundations of Mental Health Nursing MCQs from Mental Health Nursing, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.

Discussion

Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.

No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.

Exams that ask Mental Health Nursing questions like this

Mental Health Nursing is on 8 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.

More Foundations of Mental Health Nursing questions