Which ethical principle obligates healthcare providers to take actions that benefit patients?

• A. Beneficence
• B. Nonmaleficence
• C. Autonomy
• D. Justice

Answer: (A)

Beneficence is the ethical principle that obligates healthcare providers to actively promote the patient’s well-being by taking actions that benefit them. It involves choosing interventions that improve health, relief of suffering, and overall good outcomes for the patient, even if it requires effort or additional resources. This is about doing positive, beneficial things for patients, rather than merely avoiding harm.

Nonmaleficence is about not causing harm, autonomy focuses on respecting the patient’s right to make their own decisions, and justice concerns fair and equitable treatment. Beneficence sits at the center when the goal is to actively help the patient and improve their health, which is why it’s the correct answer.