Which action illustrates nonmaleficence in nursing practice?

Which action illustrates nonmaleficence in nursing practice?

• A. Act in ways to prevent harm to clients.
• B. Respect patient autonomy even if it may cause harm.
• C. Ignore potential risks to a patient.
• D. Disclose all patient information without consent.

Answer: (A)

Nonmaleficence means the nurse’s obligation to avoid causing harm and to minimize risks to patients. Acting to prevent harm to clients embodies this principle because it prioritizes safety and stops potential injuries or adverse outcomes before they occur. In everyday nursing, this shows up when we verify medications, follow safety protocols, monitor for adverse effects, and intervene to prevent harm. Respecting patient autonomy, even if it might cause harm, shifts the focus to the patient’s right to choices rather than to preventing harm, which is why it doesn’t illustrate nonmaleficence. Ignoring potential risks directly leads to harm, which contradicts the principle. Disclosing all patient information without consent breaches privacy and can put the patient at risk, also missing the mark on nonmaleficence.

Nonmaleficence means the nurse’s obligation to avoid causing harm and to minimize risks to patients. Acting to prevent harm to clients embodies this principle because it prioritizes safety and stops potential injuries or adverse outcomes before they occur. In everyday nursing, this shows up when we verify medications, follow safety protocols, monitor for adverse effects, and intervene to prevent harm.

Respecting patient autonomy, even if it might cause harm, shifts the focus to the patient’s right to choices rather than to preventing harm, which is why it doesn’t illustrate nonmaleficence. Ignoring potential risks directly leads to harm, which contradicts the principle. Disclosing all patient information without consent breaches privacy and can put the patient at risk, also missing the mark on nonmaleficence.