Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

In ethical decision-making, which of the following would be considered a core component of beneficence?

1. Providing treatment that is beneficial to patients

2. Respecting patient confidentiality

3. Ensuring fair treatment in healthcare

4. Promoting patient autonomy

The correct answer is: Providing treatment that is beneficial to patients

The core component of beneficence in ethical decision-making is providing treatment that is beneficial to patients. Beneficence refers to the moral obligation to act for the benefit of others, which in the context of healthcare means that medical professionals are required to offer interventions and care that enhance the well-being of their patients. This encompasses not just avoiding harm but actively contributing to the patient's health and quality of life. In practice, this may involve thorough assessments to understand what specific treatments or interventions will most effectively meet the patients' needs, ensuring that the actions taken are in their best interests. Focusing on the well-being of patients and striving to improve their health outcomes is central to the principle of beneficence, making it foundational to nursing practice and healthcare delivery as a whole.