Adult Protective Service Practice Exam

Autonomy involves the right of individuals to make choices as long as they have decision-making capacity and cause no harm to others. Is this statement true?

1. True

2. False

3. Partially True

4. Depends on context

The correct answer is: True

The statement is true because autonomy is fundamentally about respecting an individual's right to make choices and decisions regarding their life and well-being, provided they have the capacity to do so. Decision-making capacity refers to the ability of an individual to understand the information relevant to a decision, appreciate the consequences of that decision, reason about the choices, and communicate a choice. When individuals possess this capacity, they are entitled to exercise their autonomy. In this context, autonomy is not absolute; it incorporates the principle of non-maleficence, which means individuals should not cause harm to others. Therefore, a person's right to make decisions is balanced against the potential impact of those decisions on the well-being and rights of others. This ethical framework is particularly relevant in fields such as healthcare, social work, and elder care, where the capacity of an individual may be scrutinized to ensure their decisions are informed and not detrimental to themselves or others. This understanding of autonomy affirms the individual's agency while still recognizing the importance of protecting those who may be vulnerable or unable to advocate for themselves.