bioethics 9.docx - FOUR BASIC ELEMENTS OF AN AUTONOMOUS...

FOUR BASIC ELEMENTS OF AN AUTONOMOUS PERSON:
1.Autonomous person is respected.
It is logical that those choosing the nursing the nursing profession would inherently value and respect the unique
humanness of others. This element is essential to assuring autonomy.
2.Autonomous person must be able to determine personal goals.
These goals maybe explicit and of a global nature, or maybe less well defined.
3.Autonomous person has the capacity to decide on a plan of action.
The person must be able to understand the meaning of the choice to be made and deliberate on the various
options, while understanding the implications of the possible outcomes.
4.Autonomous person has the freedom to act upon choices.
In situations where persons are capable of formulating goals, understanding various options, and making decisions,
yet are not free to implement their plans, autonomy is either limited or absent. Autonomy maybe limited in
situations where the means to accomplish autonomously devised plans do not exist.