Which ethical principle is defined by the obligation to avoid causing harm?

Which ethical principle is defined by the obligation to avoid causing harm?

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

Answer: (C)

Nonmaleficence is the obligation to avoid causing harm. It guides decisions to minimize risks, abstain from interventions where harm outweighs benefit, and protect patients from avoidable injury or suffering. In practice, this means careful risk assessment before treatments, safeguards to prevent harm (such as ensuring patient safety and privacy), and stopping or modifying actions that could cause unnecessary harm. This principle sits apart from beneficence, which is about actively doing good for the patient; justice, which focuses on fair and equitable treatment; and autonomy, which centers on respecting a patient’s right to make their own choices. When aiming to avoid harm, nonmaleficence is the guiding standard.

Nonmaleficence is the obligation to avoid causing harm. It guides decisions to minimize risks, abstain from interventions where harm outweighs benefit, and protect patients from avoidable injury or suffering. In practice, this means careful risk assessment before treatments, safeguards to prevent harm (such as ensuring patient safety and privacy), and stopping or modifying actions that could cause unnecessary harm. This principle sits apart from beneficence, which is about actively doing good for the patient; justice, which focuses on fair and equitable treatment; and autonomy, which centers on respecting a patient’s right to make their own choices. When aiming to avoid harm, nonmaleficence is the guiding standard.