Which term corresponds to the ethical obligation to do good?

• A. Beneficence
• B. Nonmaleficence
• C. Social determinants of health
• D. Legislative branch

Answer: (A)

Beneficence is the obligation to do good and promote the well-being of others. In healthcare, this means actively working to benefit patients—choosing treatments that improve health, providing care that supports recovery, and taking steps to enhance quality of life, even when it requires extra effort or resources. It involves weighing benefits and risks to maximize patient welfare and acting in the patient’s best interest. Nonmaleficence is about not causing harm, which is related but distinct. Social determinants of health describe external factors that influence health outcomes, not an ethical directive to act for good. The legislative branch is a governmental body, not an ethical principle guiding patient care. So, the term that captures the ethical obligation to do good is beneficence.