Which ethical principle is primarily concerned with avoiding harm?

Which ethical principle is primarily concerned with avoiding harm?

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

Answer: (C)

Nonmaleficence means avoiding harm to the patient. It guides us to assess and minimize risks, ensure safety in all interventions, and change or stop something if the potential for harm outweighs the benefit. In occupational therapy, this shows up as choosing activities that won’t expose the client to unnecessary injury, securing equipment and environments to prevent accidents, and carefully monitoring for adverse effects. Beneficence is about actively promoting the client’s well-being and good outcomes, which often aligns with nonmaleficence but focuses on doing good rather than just avoiding harm. Autonomy emphasizes respecting the client’s informed choices, and justice concerns fair access and distribution of resources. So the principle most concerned with avoiding harm is nonmaleficence.

Nonmaleficence means avoiding harm to the patient. It guides us to assess and minimize risks, ensure safety in all interventions, and change or stop something if the potential for harm outweighs the benefit. In occupational therapy, this shows up as choosing activities that won’t expose the client to unnecessary injury, securing equipment and environments to prevent accidents, and carefully monitoring for adverse effects. Beneficence is about actively promoting the client’s well-being and good outcomes, which often aligns with nonmaleficence but focuses on doing good rather than just avoiding harm. Autonomy emphasizes respecting the client’s informed choices, and justice concerns fair access and distribution of resources. So the principle most concerned with avoiding harm is nonmaleficence.