Which principle focuses on avoiding harm?

Which principle focuses on avoiding harm?

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

Answer: (D)

Nonmaleficence means avoiding harm to patients and minimizing potential harm from medical actions. It’s the foundational duty behind “do no harm,” guiding clinicians to choose options that pose the least risk while still aiming to help. In practice, this includes avoiding treatments with disproportionate risks, preventing avoidable injuries, and carefully weighing risks versus benefits before intervening. It isn’t about never doing anything that could hurt; it’s about prioritizing patient safety and minimizing harm whenever possible. Autonomy is about respecting patient choices; justice concerns fair distribution of care and resources; beneficence is about promoting the patient’s well-being. Beneficence and nonmaleficence often work together—striving to help while also avoiding harm, and sometimes requiring delicate balancing when a beneficial treatment carries notable risks.

Nonmaleficence means avoiding harm to patients and minimizing potential harm from medical actions. It’s the foundational duty behind “do no harm,” guiding clinicians to choose options that pose the least risk while still aiming to help. In practice, this includes avoiding treatments with disproportionate risks, preventing avoidable injuries, and carefully weighing risks versus benefits before intervening. It isn’t about never doing anything that could hurt; it’s about prioritizing patient safety and minimizing harm whenever possible.

Autonomy is about respecting patient choices; justice concerns fair distribution of care and resources; beneficence is about promoting the patient’s well-being. Beneficence and nonmaleficence often work together—striving to help while also avoiding harm, and sometimes requiring delicate balancing when a beneficial treatment carries notable risks.