Final answer:
Telling a lie to a patient undermines their autonomy, which requires truthful information for making informed decisions about their health care, hence it violates the principle of autonomy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Is telling a lie to a patient respecting their autonomy if the patient is capable and understanding? The answer is B) No, Violating Autonomy. The principle of autonomy emphasizes that patients require truthful information to make informed decisions about their care.
It gives them agency and self-determination in medical contexts. Telling a patient a lie, even if it is intended to shield them from distress, undermines their capacity to exercise informed consent.
The principle of beneficence might be invoked to justify a lie if it serves the patient's welfare, but it still contravenes the patient's autonomy. According to Act Utilitarianism, there are scenarios where a lie may lead to a better overall outcome, such as reducing general distress. This does not dismiss the fundamental ethical conflict between truth-telling and patient autonomy.
While in some cases, like when dealing with children or individuals who cannot provide consent for themselves, others may need to make decisions on their behalf, for competent patients, not providing truthful information is a violation of their autonomy.