Which principle demands avoiding harm to others?

Which principle demands avoiding harm to others?

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

Answer: (B)

Nonmaleficence is the principle that demands avoiding harm to others. In counseling, this means clinicians should not take actions that could unnecessarily injure or endanger clients, and they must minimize risks in any intervention. It guides careful risk assessment, obtaining informed consent, avoiding exploitative practices, and choosing approaches whose potential harms are outweighed by benefits. When plans could cause harm, nonmaleficence pushes for alternatives that protect the client, even if that means delaying or changing treatment. This principle is distinct from beneficence, which focuses on actively promoting the client's well-being; fidelity, which centers on trust and keeping promises; and veracity, which concerns truth-telling. The statement that best matches “demands avoiding harm to others” is nonmaleficence.

Nonmaleficence is the principle that demands avoiding harm to others. In counseling, this means clinicians should not take actions that could unnecessarily injure or endanger clients, and they must minimize risks in any intervention. It guides careful risk assessment, obtaining informed consent, avoiding exploitative practices, and choosing approaches whose potential harms are outweighed by benefits. When plans could cause harm, nonmaleficence pushes for alternatives that protect the client, even if that means delaying or changing treatment. This principle is distinct from beneficence, which focuses on actively promoting the client's well-being; fidelity, which centers on trust and keeping promises; and veracity, which concerns truth-telling. The statement that best matches “demands avoiding harm to others” is nonmaleficence.