What ethical principle emphasizes the nurse's duty to safeguard the patient's autonomy?

The correct answer, which is respect for autonomy, underscores the ethical principle that acknowledges and supports a patient’s right to make informed choices regarding their own healthcare. This principle emphasizes that patients should have the freedom to act in accordance with their own values and beliefs, which requires that healthcare professionals, including nurses, provide patients with all necessary information to ensure their decisions are well-informed.

In the context of nursing practice, respecting a patient's autonomy means that the nurse must actively involve the patient in discussions about their care, listen to their preferences, and honor their choices, even if those choices differ from what the healthcare team might recommend. This principle is foundational in establishing a patient-centered approach to care, ensuring that the patient's voice is heard and respected.

The other options reflect important ethical principles as well, but they do not directly emphasize the nurse's duty to safeguard patient autonomy. Justice relates to fairness and equality in healthcare access; beneficence pertains to acting in the best interest of the patient by providing beneficial care; and nonmaleficence focuses on the obligation to avoid harm. While all these principles are vital, respect for autonomy is specifically directed at recognizing and upholding the rights and self-determination of the patient.