JODHPUR AIIMS SNO-2018
Nursing Foundation
Easy
"Do no harm" is which ethical principle?
Appeared in: JODHPUR AIIMS SNO-2018
Explanation
- The principle of non-maleficence is defined as the duty to "do no harm" to a patient.
- This concept originates from the Latin maxim primum non nocere, which means "first, do no harm.".
- It obligates healthcare professionals to avoid actions that could cause deliberate or unintentional harm.
- This includes preventing risks such as medication errors, patient falls, or infections.
- It is a foundational principle that prioritizes patient safety above all else.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option A: Veracity is the ethical principle of being truthful and honest with patients. It does not directly relate to the concept of avoiding harm.
- Option B: Beneficence is the principle of "doing good" and taking positive actions to help patients. While it is related to non-maleficence, its focus is on promoting well-being, not simply avoiding harm.
- Option D: Justice refers to fairness and equality in the distribution of healthcare resources and treatment. It is about treating patients equitably, not specifically about avoiding harm.
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Ethical Principles in Nursing as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
- In daily nursing practice, non-maleficence is applied by following the 'Nine Rights' of medication administration to prevent errors, using proper sterile technique to prevent infections, and implementing fall prevention protocols.
- A nurse's commitment to non-maleficence requires continuous learning and maintaining competency to ensure all actions are safe and based on current evidence.
- What if? - A patient with a terminal illness refuses a life-prolonging treatment that has severe side effects. The principle of autonomy (respecting the patient's choice) may override beneficence (doing good by prolonging life), and honoring the patient's wish respects non-maleficence by avoiding the harm caused by unwanted, painful treatment.
How to Approach the Question
- First, identify the key phrase in the question stem: "Do no harm".
- This is a factual recall question that asks for the definition of a specific ethical principle.
- Review the provided options, which are all ethical principles.
- Match the key phrase "do no harm" to its corresponding principle.
- Recall or deduce the definitions: Beneficence means 'do good', Veracity means 'tell the truth', Justice means 'be fair', and Non-maleficence means 'do no harm'.
- Select the option that directly matches the definition asked for in the question.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Ethical Principles in Nursing
- Stem keywords: Do no harm, ethical principle
- Lead-in keywords: is which
- Negative lead-in flag: false
Question ID
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Reference Book
E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 13068-13070
E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 2 p. 81-83
E6 Pharmacology Nursing Lilley 11e Part 1 p. 75-77
Practise the full JODHPUR AIIMS SNO-2018
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
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