Autonomy

Autonomy means that people have a right to choose (accept or refuse) treatment.

Patient's autonomy can be breached under the following circumstances:

• • Pt. is infected with a highly infectious and dangerous disease (HIV)

  • Pt. is greatly impaired in decision-making capacity (delusion impairing understanding of the decision)

  • Pt's autonomy is legally waived by the U.S. government (e.g., epidemics)

  • Life-threatening emergeny in an unconscious patient.