Nonmaleficence in nursing ethics is best described as which?

• A. The obligation to do good to others
• B. The principle of autonomy
• C. The do no harm
• D. The practice of informed consent

Answer: (C)

Nonmaleficence means avoiding harm to patients and taking care to prevent or minimize potential harm in care. It’s the duty to not cause injury or unnecessary risk through actions or omissions, often summarized as “do no harm.” In practice, this guides nurses to verify prescriptions, double-check procedures, monitor for adverse effects, and weigh risks before proceeding with an intervention.

This differs from doing good for others, which is beneficence—the emphasis is on promoting the patient’s well-being rather than just avoiding harm. It also isn’t about respecting the patient’s autonomy, which focuses on honoring patients’ rights to make their own decisions; informed consent is the process that supports that autonomous choice, not the definition of nonmaleficence.