Which ethical principle involves telling the truth to patients, reflecting the duty to be honest?

Which ethical principle involves telling the truth to patients, reflecting the duty to be honest?

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

Answer: (A)

Telling the truth to patients is veracity, the ethical obligation to be honest. Veracity supports patient autonomy by ensuring individuals have accurate information to make informed choices about their care. In nursing practice, this means clearly and compassionately communicating diagnoses, prognoses, treatment options, and any uncertainties, while avoiding deception or withholding information in ways that mislead. This is the best fit because the other principles focus on different duties: beneficence is about promoting the patient’s good, which can involve many actions beyond truth-telling; nonmaleficence is about avoiding harm; justice concerns fairness and equitable distribution of care. Veracity specifically addresses the duty to disclose truthful information to patients, central to informed consent and trustworthy nurse–patient relationships.

Telling the truth to patients is veracity, the ethical obligation to be honest. Veracity supports patient autonomy by ensuring individuals have accurate information to make informed choices about their care. In nursing practice, this means clearly and compassionately communicating diagnoses, prognoses, treatment options, and any uncertainties, while avoiding deception or withholding information in ways that mislead.

This is the best fit because the other principles focus on different duties: beneficence is about promoting the patient’s good, which can involve many actions beyond truth-telling; nonmaleficence is about avoiding harm; justice concerns fairness and equitable distribution of care. Veracity specifically addresses the duty to disclose truthful information to patients, central to informed consent and trustworthy nurse–patient relationships.