Which of the following is one of the four basic bioethical principles?

• A. Fidelity
• B. Privacy
• C. Compassion
• D. Justice

Answer: (C)

Understanding the four basic bioethical principles means recognizing autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice. Of the options, the one that aligns with that formal framework is justice, because it concerns fairness, equal treatment, and how benefits and burdens are distributed. Privacy, while important in patient care, relates more to confidentiality than to the canonical four principles. Fidelity focuses on trust and keeping commitments, which is valuable but not one of the four core principles. Compassion describes empathetic concern, a virtue guiding care, but it isn’t itself one of the formal principles. So the best choice is the principle that centers on fairness and just distribution.