Non mal-eficence is associated with?

Appeared in: UPRVUNL - 2021

Explanation

Non-maleficence is a core ethical principle in healthcare, defined as the duty to do no harm to a patient.
This principle obligates healthcare professionals to avoid actions that could cause injury or suffering, whether deliberate or unintentional.
The phrase "doing no intentional harm" is a direct and accurate summary of the principle of non-maleficence.
It involves balancing the potential benefits of a treatment against its risks, always striving to minimize the potential for harm.

Option A: Self-governance is the definition of a different ethical principle, Autonomy, which is the right of a patient to make their own decisions.
Option B: While assessing risks and costs is part of ethical decision-making, it is not the definition of non-maleficence. It's a component of the analysis used to ensure that the benefits of an action outweigh the potential harms.
Option D: Promoting the profession is a professional duty outlined in codes of conduct, but it is not one of the four primary bioethical principles (autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice) that guide direct patient care.

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.
The principle of non-maleficence is applied daily in nursing. For example, following the 'six rights' of medication administration (right patient, drug, dose, route, time, documentation) is a direct application to prevent medication errors and harm.
Nurses must constantly assess and reassess patients to identify potential risks, such as fall risks or developing pressure injuries, and implement preventative measures to avoid harm.
What if? If a doctor orders a medication to which the patient has a known allergy documented in their chart, the principle of non-maleficence requires the nurse to question the order and not administer the drug, thereby preventing potential harm.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question stem, which is "Non-maleficence."
Recall the definition of this term from your study of nursing ethics. Non-maleficence is one of the foundational principles.
Systematically evaluate each option to see which one best matches the definition.
Option A ('Self governance') defines Autonomy. Eliminate it.
Option B ('Risk and costs') describes factors in decision-making, not the principle itself. Eliminate it.
Option C ('Doing no intentional harm') is the classic definition of non-maleficence. This is a strong candidate.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 2 p. 81-83

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 55-57

E6 Pharmacology Nursing Lilley 11e Part 1 p. 75-77

Practise the full UPRVUNL - 2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.