Which statement best describes the action a nurse should take to protect patient autonomy at the end of life when the patient wishes limited interventions?

Which statement best describes the action a nurse should take to protect patient autonomy at the end of life when the patient wishes limited interventions?

• A. No extraordinary measures
• B. Allow natural death
• C. All but CPR
• D. Permit to die

Answer: (B)

Respecting patient autonomy at the end of life means honoring the patient’s explicit wish to limit interventions and to focus on comfort and dignity. Allow natural death communicates that intent clearly: the care plan avoids aggressive, life-sustaining treatments and supports symptom relief so the patient can die in a peaceful, natural way. This aligns with self-determination and with honoring any advance directives or stated preferences. If the patient has decision-making capacity, the choice should guide all care; if not, decisions should reflect the patient’s known wishes or the surrogate’s guidance. The other options either imply preserving certain aggressive measures or use wording that is less precise about allowing the natural course of dying.

Respecting patient autonomy at the end of life means honoring the patient’s explicit wish to limit interventions and to focus on comfort and dignity. Allow natural death communicates that intent clearly: the care plan avoids aggressive, life-sustaining treatments and supports symptom relief so the patient can die in a peaceful, natural way. This aligns with self-determination and with honoring any advance directives or stated preferences. If the patient has decision-making capacity, the choice should guide all care; if not, decisions should reflect the patient’s known wishes or the surrogate’s guidance. The other options either imply preserving certain aggressive measures or use wording that is less precise about allowing the natural course of dying.