What it means
The right to decide for oneself, closely linked to the ethical principle of autonomyaw-TON-uh-meeA person's right to make their own choices about their body and their care.Full entry . In the US, the Patient Self-Determination Act of 1990 requires hospitals and other facilities to tell adults at admission about their right to accept or refuse treatment and to make an advance directivead-VANS dih-REK-tivA legal document in which a person states their wishes for medical care, for a time when they cannot speak for themselves.Full entry .
For the nurse
Make sure the client has the information needed to decide, and respect the decision even when you disagree with it. Ask on admission whether the client has an advance directive.
Related terms
autonomy
A person's right to make their own choices about their body and their care.
advance directive
A legal document in which a person states their wishes for medical care, for a time when they cannot speak for themselves.