Paternalism is the view that the doctor knows best.

• A. Beneficence
• B. Paternalism
• C. Justice
• D. Autonomy

Answer: (B)

Paternalism is the view that the doctor knows best, so clinical decisions are made by the clinician with the belief that overriding the patient’s preferences will serve their welfare. This makes it the best descriptor of the scenario, because the defining idea is the physician acting as someone who decides for the patient rather than letting the patient decide. Beneficence is the obligation to act for the patient’s benefit, but it doesn’t specify who makes the decision. Autonomy is about the patient’s right to decide for themselves, and justice concerns fairness in treatment and resource use. In practice, paternalism can conflict with patient autonomy and is often weighed against the move toward shared decision-making and informed consent.