Which term describes control over one's practice?

• A. Association
• B. Altruism
• C. Autonomy
• D. Accountability

Answer: (C)

Autonomy means having independence in making decisions about your own practice. It involves the ability to assess, decide, and act based on professional judgment within your scope of practice, taking responsibility for those decisions. This is exactly what “control over one’s practice” refers to—the nurse governs how care is planned and carried out, within legal and ethical boundaries, and seeks supervision or collaboration when needed.

Altruism describes putting patients’ needs first; association is about belonging to a professional group; accountability is being answerable for actions and outcomes. While all are important, autonomy specifically captures the level of self-directed decision-making and control over how care is delivered.