Which term describes the obligation to avoid causing harm to patients?

Which term describes the obligation to avoid causing harm to patients?

• A. Beneficence
• B. Morals
• C. Euthanasia
• D. Nonmaleficence

Answer: (D)

Nonmaleficence means not causing harm to patients and actively minimizing potential harm in care. In practice, this requires clinicians to avoid actions or procedures that could injure a patient and to carefully weigh risks and benefits before choosing a treatment. This obligation directly matches the idea of avoiding harm, which is why it’s the best fit. Beneficence is about doing good and promoting benefits, euthanasia refers to ending life, and morals is a broader term for beliefs about right and wrong rather than a specific professional duty.

Nonmaleficence means not causing harm to patients and actively minimizing potential harm in care. In practice, this requires clinicians to avoid actions or procedures that could injure a patient and to carefully weigh risks and benefits before choosing a treatment. This obligation directly matches the idea of avoiding harm, which is why it’s the best fit. Beneficence is about doing good and promoting benefits, euthanasia refers to ending life, and morals is a broader term for beliefs about right and wrong rather than a specific professional duty.