Question

1. Discuss the application of the biomedical principle of autonomy to medical decision making.

2. Provide an example of a patient’s assertion of her right of self-determination.

3. Provide an example of ethical conflict owing to the rights of a patient as an autonomous agent.

Answer 1

1. Autonomy is a biomedical principle which explain about right of the patient to select or refuse treatment.

   this principle is needed to be applied in when medical decision making situvations like,

                                              * At the time of taking informed consent for surgery.

                                              * Before administration of medications.

                                              * planning admission for an outpatient.

                                              * Before conducting physical examination.

                                              * When conducting health survey of an inpatient.

                                              * Before doing diagnostic procedures.

                                              * Before conducting lab studies and blood donation.

2. Example of right of self -determination

                      * When planning patient for a HIV test before surgery she has right to self determine

                         whether it is needed or not.

3. Example of an ethical conflict

                       * Conduct surgery for a patient before explaining and taking informed consent from

                          him or his relatives.