Which statement best defines Beneficence?

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Multiple Choice

Which statement best defines Beneficence?

Beneficence means actively promoting the patient’s well‑being by preventing harm and providing benefits. In acute care practice this means choosing treatments and actions that improve outcomes, relieve symptoms, and reduce risks, while weighing benefits against potential harms. It’s about taking proactive steps to help the patient, not merely avoiding harm. While telling the truth, fairness, or respecting patient choices are important ethical duties, they align with Veracity, Justice, and Autonomy, respectively, and do not define beneficence. An example is starting appropriate analgesia or timely antibiotic therapy to promote recovery and prevent complications. So the duty to prevent harm and promote good best defines beneficence.

Beneficence means actively promoting the patient’s well‑being by preventing harm and providing benefits. In acute care practice this means choosing treatments and actions that improve outcomes, relieve symptoms, and reduce risks, while weighing benefits against potential harms. It’s about taking proactive steps to help the patient, not merely avoiding harm. While telling the truth, fairness, or respecting patient choices are important ethical duties, they align with Veracity, Justice, and Autonomy, respectively, and do not define beneficence. An example is starting appropriate analgesia or timely antibiotic therapy to promote recovery and prevent complications. So the duty to prevent harm and promote good best defines beneficence.

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