The ethical principle of 'non-maleficence' is best described as:?

Appeared in: NHM MP Staff Nurse - 2015

Explanation

Non-maleficence is the ethical duty to avoid causing harm or injury to a patient.
This principle is fundamental to nursing and is often expressed as "first, do no harm" (primum non nocere).
It involves not only avoiding deliberate harm but also actively preventing harm and protecting vulnerable patients.
Examples in practice include double-checking medication dosages to prevent errors and implementing fall precautions.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

Option A: This describes the principle of beneficence, which is the duty to act for the good of others and to take positive steps to help them.
Option C: This describes the principle of veracity, which is the duty to be truthful and honest with patients.
Option D: This describes the principle of justice, which involves fairness in the distribution of resources and care.

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: Non-maleficence as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding non-maleficence is critical for patient safety. It guides nurses to be vigilant in their practice, such as preventing medication errors, avoiding hospital-acquired infections, and ensuring a safe patient environment.
This principle obligates nurses to stay current with their skills and knowledge to provide competent care and minimize the risk of harm.
What if a patient refuses a life-saving treatment? The principle of non-maleficence (avoiding harm) might conflict with the principle of autonomy (patient's right to choose). In this ethical dilemma, the nurse must ensure the patient is fully informed and competent to make the decision, and the care team may need to consult an ethics committee.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question, which is 'non-maleficence'.
Break down the term: 'maleficence' relates to harm, and the prefix 'non-' means 'not'. Therefore, 'non-maleficence' means 'not doing harm'.
Read each option carefully and compare it to this basic definition.
Option A (best interest) is beneficence. Option C (honesty) is veracity. Option D (equal distribution) is justice.
Option B directly matches the definition of 'do no harm', making it the correct choice.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Ethical Principles in Nursing: Non-maleficence
Stem keywords: ethical principle, non-maleficence
Lead-in keywords: best described as

Question ID

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Reference Book

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

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

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

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