Which principle describes the duty to provide care that benefits the patient and removes harm?

• A. Autonomy
• B. Beneficence
• C. Nonmaleficence
• D. Justice

Answer: (B)

Beneficence is the duty to act in ways that benefit the patient, promoting positive outcomes and actively working to remove harm. In practice, this means choosing treatments and actions that have a favorable balance of benefits over risks, alleviating pain and suffering, preventing complications, and supporting the patient's overall well-being. It goes beyond simply avoiding harm (that’s nonmaleficence) by actively pursuing what will improve the patient’s condition.

Autonomy focuses on respecting the patient’s right to make their own decisions. Nonmaleficence is about not causing harm. Justice concerns fair and equitable distribution of care. The scenario describes actions aimed at benefiting the patient and reducing harm, which is the core idea of beneficence.