Which statement aligns with the principle of nonmaleficence?

Which statement aligns with the principle of nonmaleficence?

• A. Do no harm
• B. Promote social welfare
• C. Respect patient autonomy
• D. Maximize benefits

Answer: (A)

Nonmaleficence is the obligation to avoid harming patients and to minimize harm that can come from medical care. The statement “do no harm” fits this duty exactly, emphasizing restraint and careful risk assessment in decisions about treatments, procedures, and research. In practice, this means avoiding actions that could injure a patient, choosing safer alternatives when possible, monitoring for adverse effects, and stopping or adjusting interventions if the harm outweighs any potential benefit. Other principles guide different aims—autonomy centers on honoring patient choices, beneficence on promoting overall benefits, and public health considerations on social or population-level welfare—so the phrase that aligns most directly with nonmaleficence is “do no harm.”

Nonmaleficence is the obligation to avoid harming patients and to minimize harm that can come from medical care. The statement “do no harm” fits this duty exactly, emphasizing restraint and careful risk assessment in decisions about treatments, procedures, and research. In practice, this means avoiding actions that could injure a patient, choosing safer alternatives when possible, monitoring for adverse effects, and stopping or adjusting interventions if the harm outweighs any potential benefit. Other principles guide different aims—autonomy centers on honoring patient choices, beneficence on promoting overall benefits, and public health considerations on social or population-level welfare—so the phrase that aligns most directly with nonmaleficence is “do no harm.”