The nurse is reviewing ethical principles that guide professional nursing practice. Which ethical principle is best defined as the obligation to avoid causing harm to a client?

Choice A reason: This option reflects the ethical principle of fidelity, which refers to faithfulness, loyalty, and keeping commitments made to clients. Fidelity emphasizes maintaining trust, honoring promises, and being truthful in professional relationships. While fidelity is essential to ethical nursing practice, it does not specifically address the prevention of harm. Therefore, this choice does not best define the obligation to avoid causing harm to a client. Choice B reason: This option corresponds to the ethical principle of justice, which focuses on fairness, equity, and the appropriate distribution of resources among clients and populations. Justice ensures that all clients receive impartial and equal treatment regardless of personal characteristics or social status. Although justice is a core ethical principle, it is centered on fairness rather than the direct prevention of harm, making it an incorrect choice for this question. Choice C reason: This option accurately represents the ethical principle of nonmaleficence. Nonmaleficence is defined as the obligation to avoid causing harm, injury, or unnecessary suffering to clients. In nursing practice, this principle guides clinicians to carefully evaluate interventions, anticipate potential risks, and avoid actions that could negatively impact client safety or well-being. Because the question specifically asks about the obligation to avoid harm, this is the most accurate and correct answer. Choice D reason: This option reflects the ethical principle of beneficence, which involves taking positive actions to promote good, support client welfare, and improve health outcomes. Beneficence encourages nurses to act in the best interest of the client by providing compassionate and beneficial care. However, beneficence is distinct from nonmaleficence, as it focuses on doing good rather than specifically avoiding harm. For this reason, it is not the best answer to the question.