The ethical principle that requires avoiding causing harm to patients is called?

• A. Beneficence.
• B. Nonmaleficence.
• C. Autonomy.
• D. Veracity.

Answer: (B)

Nonmaleficence is the obligation to avoid causing harm to patients. In nursing, this means refraining from actions or omissions that could injure a patient and actively seeking ways to reduce risk, such as ensuring safe medication administration, maintaining sterile technique to prevent infections, and stopping an intervention if it becomes likely to cause more harm than benefit. It’s the “do no harm” baseline that guides every care decision and safety precaution.

Beneficence, by contrast, is about promoting good and actively working to benefit the patient, which can involve weighing benefits against risks. Autonomy focuses on honoring a patient’s right to make their own decisions about care. Veracity is about truth-telling and honest communication. When considering care, nonmaleficence anchors us to avoid harm first, while the other principles guide how we pursue beneficial outcomes, respect patient choices, and communicate truthfully.