Nonmaleficence Exam Prep Document 2026/2027 | Bioethics,
Patient Safety & Ethical Healthcare Decision-Making | 50
Verified Questions with Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: CORE DEFINITIONS & FOUNDATIONAL
CONCEPTS (Questions 1-10)
Question 1
Which principle of bioethics emphasizes the obligation to cause no
harm?
A) Autonomy
B) Beneficence
C) Nonmaleficence
D) Justice
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle that obligates
healthcare providers to avoid causing harm to patients. It is reflected
by the Hippocratic maxim "First do no harm". Autonomy (A) respects
patient self-determination, beneficence (B) requires acting for the
patient's benefit, and justice (D) concerns fair distribution of
resources.
Question 2
The Latin phrase "primum non nocere" translates to:
,A) First, do good
B) First, do no harm
C) Patient first
D) Above all, respect autonomy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: "Primum non nocere" is the Latin phrase most closely
associated with nonmaleficence. It translates to "first, do no harm"
and represents the foundational obligation of healthcare professionals
to avoid inflicting injury or harm on patients.
Question 3
Nonmaleficence is BEST described as:
A) A positive duty to act for the benefit of the patient
B) A negative duty to refrain from doing anything that will harm
patients
C) The obligation to respect patient decisions
D) The fair distribution of healthcare resources
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nonmaleficence appears at first to be a negative duty: to
refrain from doing anything that will harm patients. However, it also
implies taking strenuous steps to ensure that patients do not incur
harm in medical settings. Beneficence (A) is the positive duty to act
for the patient's benefit, autonomy (C) respects patient decision-
making, and justice (D) concerns fair resource distribution.
Question 4
, Which of the following statements about nonmaleficence is TRUE?
A) Nonmaleficence and beneficence are identical principles
B) Nonmaleficence only applies to physical harm
C) Nonmaleficence sets a limiting condition on beneficence
D) Nonmaleficence is less important than autonomy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Nonmaleficence sets the limiting condition on the ethical
principle of beneficence. While beneficence requires acting for the
patient's benefit, nonmaleficence establishes boundaries — providers
must not pursue beneficial actions that would cause disproportionate
harm. Nonmaleficence and beneficence are distinct (A),
nonmaleficence applies to all forms of harm including psychological
(B), and no single principle is inherently "more important" than others
(D).
Question 5
A healthcare provider administers a treatment that carries known
risks but offers significant potential benefit. This scenario MOST
directly involves a tension between:
A) Autonomy and justice
B) Beneficence and nonmaleficence
C) Veracity and fidelity
D) Justice and autonomy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This scenario illustrates the classic tension between
beneficence (the duty to do good and provide benefit) and
nonmaleficence (the duty to avoid harm). Even the most advanced and
safest medical treatments are associated with unavoidable, harmful
side effects. The provider must weigh potential benefits against
potential harms.
Patient Safety & Ethical Healthcare Decision-Making | 50
Verified Questions with Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: CORE DEFINITIONS & FOUNDATIONAL
CONCEPTS (Questions 1-10)
Question 1
Which principle of bioethics emphasizes the obligation to cause no
harm?
A) Autonomy
B) Beneficence
C) Nonmaleficence
D) Justice
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle that obligates
healthcare providers to avoid causing harm to patients. It is reflected
by the Hippocratic maxim "First do no harm". Autonomy (A) respects
patient self-determination, beneficence (B) requires acting for the
patient's benefit, and justice (D) concerns fair distribution of
resources.
Question 2
The Latin phrase "primum non nocere" translates to:
,A) First, do good
B) First, do no harm
C) Patient first
D) Above all, respect autonomy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: "Primum non nocere" is the Latin phrase most closely
associated with nonmaleficence. It translates to "first, do no harm"
and represents the foundational obligation of healthcare professionals
to avoid inflicting injury or harm on patients.
Question 3
Nonmaleficence is BEST described as:
A) A positive duty to act for the benefit of the patient
B) A negative duty to refrain from doing anything that will harm
patients
C) The obligation to respect patient decisions
D) The fair distribution of healthcare resources
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nonmaleficence appears at first to be a negative duty: to
refrain from doing anything that will harm patients. However, it also
implies taking strenuous steps to ensure that patients do not incur
harm in medical settings. Beneficence (A) is the positive duty to act
for the patient's benefit, autonomy (C) respects patient decision-
making, and justice (D) concerns fair resource distribution.
Question 4
, Which of the following statements about nonmaleficence is TRUE?
A) Nonmaleficence and beneficence are identical principles
B) Nonmaleficence only applies to physical harm
C) Nonmaleficence sets a limiting condition on beneficence
D) Nonmaleficence is less important than autonomy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Nonmaleficence sets the limiting condition on the ethical
principle of beneficence. While beneficence requires acting for the
patient's benefit, nonmaleficence establishes boundaries — providers
must not pursue beneficial actions that would cause disproportionate
harm. Nonmaleficence and beneficence are distinct (A),
nonmaleficence applies to all forms of harm including psychological
(B), and no single principle is inherently "more important" than others
(D).
Question 5
A healthcare provider administers a treatment that carries known
risks but offers significant potential benefit. This scenario MOST
directly involves a tension between:
A) Autonomy and justice
B) Beneficence and nonmaleficence
C) Veracity and fidelity
D) Justice and autonomy
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: This scenario illustrates the classic tension between
beneficence (the duty to do good and provide benefit) and
nonmaleficence (the duty to avoid harm). Even the most advanced and
safest medical treatments are associated with unavoidable, harmful
side effects. The provider must weigh potential benefits against
potential harms.
