First do no harm is another way of saying the principle of ______.

First do no harm is another way of saying the principle of ______.

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

Answer: (B)

Nonmaleficence means avoiding harm to patients. “First, do no harm” captures this obligation: clinicians should refrain from actions likely to cause injury and should minimize risks associated with care. It emphasizes safety and restraint, even as they seek to help patients. This differs from beneficence, which calls for actively promoting the patient’s good. Autonomy is about respecting patients’ rights to make their own decisions, and justice concerns fair treatment and fair access to care. In practice, nonmaleficence guides choices like avoiding unnecessary procedures, preventing iatrogenic harm, and carefully weighing risks of interventions to ensure harm is minimized.

Nonmaleficence means avoiding harm to patients. “First, do no harm” captures this obligation: clinicians should refrain from actions likely to cause injury and should minimize risks associated with care. It emphasizes safety and restraint, even as they seek to help patients. This differs from beneficence, which calls for actively promoting the patient’s good. Autonomy is about respecting patients’ rights to make their own decisions, and justice concerns fair treatment and fair access to care. In practice, nonmaleficence guides choices like avoiding unnecessary procedures, preventing iatrogenic harm, and carefully weighing risks of interventions to ensure harm is minimized.