A nurse is caring for a client who has made the decision to refuse treatment. Which of the following ethical principles is demonstrated when the nurse respects the client's decision?

A. Beneficence: Beneficence refers to the ethical principle of promoting good and acting in the best interest of the client. While this guides nursing actions to provide beneficial care, it does not directly involve respecting a client’s decision to refuse treatment. B. Autonomy: Autonomy is the ethical principle that recognizes the client’s right to make independent decisions about their own healthcare. Respecting the client’s decision to refuse treatment honors their personal values, beliefs, and right to self-determination, even if the nurse disagrees with the choice. C. Nonmaleficence: Nonmaleficence involves the obligation to avoid causing harm to the client. While important in all nursing actions, it focuses on preventing harm rather than specifically supporting a client’s right to make healthcare decisions. D. Justice: Justice refers to fairness in the distribution of healthcare resources and treatment. It ensures equitable care for all clients but is not directly related to respecting an individual client’s choice to accept or refuse treatment.