Which statement best reflects beneficence as an ethical principle?

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Multiple Choice

Which statement best reflects beneficence as an ethical principle?

Beneficence centers on actively promoting the client’s welfare. It’s not just avoiding harm; it’s taking positive steps to help, support, and improve the client’s well-being—doing what is best for them through effective treatment, encouragement, and advocacy. That is why “helping the client” best reflects beneficence. The other ideas point to different ethical duties: avoiding harm aligns with non-maleficence, respecting autonomy with the principle of autonomy, and distributing resources relates to justice. Each is important, but beneficence is specifically about promoting welfare through beneficial actions.

Beneficence centers on actively promoting the client’s welfare. It’s not just avoiding harm; it’s taking positive steps to help, support, and improve the client’s well-being—doing what is best for them through effective treatment, encouragement, and advocacy. That is why “helping the client” best reflects beneficence.

The other ideas point to different ethical duties: avoiding harm aligns with non-maleficence, respecting autonomy with the principle of autonomy, and distributing resources relates to justice. Each is important, but beneficence is specifically about promoting welfare through beneficial actions.

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