Which statement best defines nonmaleficence?

• A. Do no harm, minimize risk
• B. Do nothing and allow harm
• C. Maximizing resource use
• D. Provide care only if beneficial

Answer: (A)

Nonmaleficence means avoiding harm to patients and actively minimizing the risks that treatment or care could cause. The best statement captures this duty by saying “do no harm, minimize risk.” It reflects the obligation to avoid procedures or actions where potential harm outweighs any benefit and to seek safer alternatives or precautions to reduce harm if care is given. In practice, this guides decisions such as avoiding unnecessary interventions, monitoring for adverse effects, and stopping or altering treatment when the harms are likely to exceed the benefits. The other options don’t fit because they describe neglect of harm, or concepts like resource use or beneficence that are not the core focus of nonmaleficence itself.