International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Practice Exam

What term describes the capacity of an individual to make an informed and un-coerced decision?

1. Beneficence

2. Autonomy

3. Justice

4. Non-maleficence

The correct answer is: Autonomy

The term that describes the capacity of an individual to make an informed and un-coerced decision is autonomy. Autonomy emphasizes the importance of individuals having the right to self-determination and control over their own lives and choices. In the context of healthcare, this means that patients should be able to make informed decisions about their treatment and care based on their own values, beliefs, and preferences, free from pressure or coercion. Autonomy is a fundamental principle in medical ethics, as it underscores the respect for individuals as competent agents capable of making choices that reflect their interests and desires. This principle plays a crucial role in ensuring that consent for medical procedures, including those related to lactation and breastfeeding support, is genuinely voluntary and informed. The other terms—beneficence, justice, and non-maleficence—while all important ethical principles in healthcare, do not specifically pertain to the capacity for making informed and un-coerced decisions. Beneficence relates to the obligation to act in the best interest of the patient, justice involves fairness in medical decision-making and resource allocation, and non-maleficence refers to the duty to do no harm. Each of these principles complements autonomy but focuses on different aspects of ethical practice.