Supporting a patient's request for both an opioid and an epidural during labor exemplifies which ethical principle?

The correct answer focuses on the ethical principle of autonomy, which emphasizes the right of patients to make informed decisions about their own healthcare based on their values, preferences, and needs. By supporting a patient's request for both an opioid and an epidural during labor, the healthcare provider is respecting the patient's right to choose how to manage her pain during the birthing process. This choice reflects the patient's individual desires for her labor experience and acknowledges her authority over her own body and choices in care.

In this context, the healthcare provider facilitates open communication, ensuring that the patient understands the benefits and risks associated with both pain management options, ultimately allowing her to make a decision that aligns with her personal comfort and pain relief goals. Respecting patient autonomy is crucial in providing ethical and patient-centered care.

The other ethical principles, such as justice (fairness in distributing resources), beneficence (acting in the patient's best interest), and nonmaleficence (avoiding harm), are relevant in healthcare but do not directly address the aspect of supporting the patient's choices regarding her treatment options. The emphasis here is specifically on the patient's right to determine her own course of action, which aligns with the principle of autonomy.