Which ethical principle emphasizes doing good for clients and considering their beliefs and wishes?

Which ethical principle emphasizes doing good for clients and considering their beliefs and wishes?

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

Answer: (A)

Beneficence is about actively promoting the patient’s well‑being and doing good through actions that benefit them. In nursing, this means choosing care and interventions that will most likely improve health, ease suffering, and support the patient’s overall welfare, while also honoring what the patient values, believes, and wishes. When a patient’s beliefs influence a preferred course of care, a beneficent approach integrates those values into the plan to maximize true benefit. Nonmaleficence is about avoiding harm, which is a related but distinct idea concerned with not causing injury or suffering. Veracity focuses on telling the truth to the patient. Justice deals with fairness and how resources and care are distributed.

Beneficence is about actively promoting the patient’s well‑being and doing good through actions that benefit them. In nursing, this means choosing care and interventions that will most likely improve health, ease suffering, and support the patient’s overall welfare, while also honoring what the patient values, believes, and wishes. When a patient’s beliefs influence a preferred course of care, a beneficent approach integrates those values into the plan to maximize true benefit.

Nonmaleficence is about avoiding harm, which is a related but distinct idea concerned with not causing injury or suffering. Veracity focuses on telling the truth to the patient. Justice deals with fairness and how resources and care are distributed.