Which principle states the primary duty is to benefit the client?

Which principle states the primary duty is to benefit the client?

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

Answer: (A)

Beneficence is the obligation to actively promote the patient’s welfare—doing good, relieving suffering, and taking actions that advance health. In practice this means choosing interventions that provide the most benefit, such as effective pain relief, timely treatment, and helpful patient education, while aiming to maximize positive outcomes and minimize harm. This differs from nonmaleficence, which focuses on not causing harm; autonomy, which respects the patient’s right to make their own decisions; and justice, which concerns fair distribution of care and resources. Beneficence captures the proactive duty to seek the patient’s best interests, making it the best fit for the statement.

Beneficence is the obligation to actively promote the patient’s welfare—doing good, relieving suffering, and taking actions that advance health. In practice this means choosing interventions that provide the most benefit, such as effective pain relief, timely treatment, and helpful patient education, while aiming to maximize positive outcomes and minimize harm. This differs from nonmaleficence, which focuses on not causing harm; autonomy, which respects the patient’s right to make their own decisions; and justice, which concerns fair distribution of care and resources. Beneficence captures the proactive duty to seek the patient’s best interests, making it the best fit for the statement.