Why is patient autonomy important in end-of-life care?

• A. It ensures patients control decisions affecting their dignity and treatment
• B. It reduces the clinician's workload
• C. It eliminates family input
• D. It delays decision-making

Answer: (A)

Respecting patient autonomy in end-of-life care means honoring the individual's right to decide what happens to their own body, which treatments to pursue or forego, and what level of intervention aligns with their values and wishes. This control over decisions that affect personal dignity and the course of care is why this option is the best choice. The other statements miss the essence because autonomy does not inherently reduce a clinician’s workload, eliminate family input, or delay decisions; in fact, knowing a patient’s wishes often guides timely, patient-centered planning.