What is meant by the nursing principle of nonmaleficence?

The nursing principle of nonmaleficence is fundamentally understood as the obligation to "first, do no harm." This principle emphasizes the moral and ethical commitment of healthcare providers to avoid actions that could cause harm to patients. It requires nurses and other healthcare professionals to consider the potential risks and benefits of their interventions, ensuring that their actions prioritize patient safety and well-being.

In practice, nonmaleficence guides nurses to assess the possible negative outcomes of medications, treatments, and procedures, striving to minimize any unintended adverse effects. This foundational ethical guideline is critical in nursing, as it reinforces the responsibility to protect patients from harm while promoting their health.

Other options touch on essential aspects of nursing practice but do not align with the specific definition of nonmaleficence. Respecting privacy is related to confidentiality and patient autonomy, the provision of necessary care pertains to beneficence, and the obligation to ensure fairness relates to justice in healthcare. Each of these principles plays a vital role in holistic patient care, but nonmaleficence specifically addresses the imperative to avoid causing harm.