Nonmaleficence means

Nonmaleficence means

• A. do no harm
• B. do all possible good
• C. guarantee confidentiality
• D. respect autonomy

Answer: (A)

Nonmaleficence is the obligation to avoid harming patients—the idea of “do no harm.” In practice, this means carefully considering whether any intervention could cause more harm than benefit, and taking steps to minimize risks, such as using safe procedures, avoiding unnecessary treatments, and stopping a therapy if harm outweighs benefit. It’s about harm avoidance, not about doing all possible good—that’s beneficence. It also isn’t about confidentiality or patient autonomy, which are separate ethical principles. So the best description is the commitment to do no harm.

Nonmaleficence is the obligation to avoid harming patients—the idea of “do no harm.” In practice, this means carefully considering whether any intervention could cause more harm than benefit, and taking steps to minimize risks, such as using safe procedures, avoiding unnecessary treatments, and stopping a therapy if harm outweighs benefit. It’s about harm avoidance, not about doing all possible good—that’s beneficence. It also isn’t about confidentiality or patient autonomy, which are separate ethical principles. So the best description is the commitment to do no harm.