Define nonmaleficence in nursing ethics.

• A. To respect patient autonomy.
• B. The obligation to do no harm.
• C. To maximize benefits regardless of harm.
• D. To ensure justice in resource distribution.

Answer: (B)

Nonmaleficence means not causing harm to patients. In nursing, this principle guides every action by prioritizing safety and minimizing risk. It’s not only about avoiding deliberate harm but also about preventing unintended injury or suffering through careful assessment, proper procedures, and vigilant monitoring. For example, choosing a safer medication option when possible, using sterile technique to prevent infection, obtaining informed consent, and stopping or withholding treatment when the risks outweigh the benefits are all ways to uphold nonmaleficence. It also encompasses recognizing when a treatment may cause more harm than good and seeking alternatives that protect the patient from unnecessary harm.

This principle sits alongside beneficence, which is about doing good and promoting the patient’s well-being, but it specifically focuses on avoiding harm. Respect for patient autonomy centers on honoring a patient’s right to make decisions about their care, and justice concerns fair and equitable distribution of resources. Together, these principles guide ethical nursing practice. For your understanding, avoid actions that introduce unnecessary risk or harm, and always weigh potential harms against potential benefits before proceeding.