Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Law and Ethics Practice Exam

How does beneficence relate to the concept of patient autonomy?

1. It eliminates the need for consent

2. It imposes strict guidelines on patient choices

3. It promotes patient welfare while respecting their rights

4. It requires DDS to take all decision-making power

The correct answer is: It promotes patient welfare while respecting their rights

Beneficence in healthcare refers to the ethical principle of acting in the best interest of the patient, promoting their welfare and well-being. This principle is closely related to patient autonomy, which is the right of patients to make informed decisions about their own healthcare. The correct answer highlights that beneficence promotes patient welfare while respecting their rights. This means that while healthcare professionals aim to provide the best care possible and enhance the patient's well-being, they must also ensure that patients are informed and have the freedom to make their own choices regarding treatment. This balance is crucial; it acknowledges that while the practitioner's intention is to act in the patient's best interest, it is equally important to honor the patient's right to make decisions about their own body and health. In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the relationship between beneficence and patient autonomy. For instance, eliminating the need for consent negates the patient's ability to make decisions, contradicting the core tenet of autonomy. Imposing strict guidelines on patient choices undermines the concept of individualized care, as it does not allow for personal values and preferences to be considered. Lastly, requiring the dentist to take all decision-making power disregards the fundamental respecting of the patient’s autonomy, making it impossible to