Which term describes the obligation to avoid harming others?

• A. Beneficence
• B. Integrity
• C. Emotional intelligence
• D. Nonmaleficence

Answer: (D)

The obligation to avoid harming others is captured by nonmaleficence. In healthcare and ethics, this principle guides actions to prevent harm, minimize risks, and avoid interventions that aren’t beneficial or could cause more harm than good. It’s the foundational counterpart to beneficence, which focuses on doing good and actively promoting patients’ well-being. While beneficence asks us to help, nonmaleficence asks us to refrain from hurting.

Beneficence isn’t about avoiding harm; it’s about taking positive steps to benefit others. Integrity concerns honesty and consistency in actions, not the moral duty to avoid harm. Emotional intelligence relates to recognizing and managing emotions, which is important for communication but isn’t the ethical obligation described here.