What is a key principle of patient-centered care in MDC1?

• A. Respect autonomy, involve client in decisions, consider preferences.
• B. Prioritize standardized care plans over individual preferences.
• C. Avoid discussing goals with the patient.
• D. Remove patient input to expedite care.

Answer: (B)

Patient-centered care centers on partnering with the patient, honoring their autonomy, and integrating their preferences into every decision. It means asking about goals, values, and concerns, explaining options in understandable terms, and choosing a plan that aligns with what matters most to the patient. When care is guided by standardized plans that ignore individual preferences, it breaks that partnership and can lead to care that doesn’t fit the person’s needs. Avoiding goals discussions or removing patient input sacrifices essential collaboration and informed consent, and can erode trust. The best approach is to engage the patient, listen to their priorities, and tailor decisions to what they value.