What does non-maleficence state regarding patient care?

Non-maleficence is a fundamental principle in medical ethics that emphasizes the obligation of healthcare professionals to avoid causing harm to patients. This principle underlines the importance of ensuring that any interventions, treatments, or decisions made in the context of patient care do not inflict physical, emotional, or psychological harm. By adhering to the principle of non-maleficence, healthcare providers are compelled to carefully consider the potential risks and benefits of any course of action and to prioritize patient safety and well-being above all else.

In the context of the options presented, the correct choice directly aligns with this ethical duty; it explicitly states the intent to prevent harm. Other options, while relevant to various aspects of patient care, do not encapsulate the essence of non-maleficence. For example, providing only beneficial treatments focuses on beneficence rather than the absence of harm, reducing costs pertains more to the economic aspects of healthcare, and involving family in care decisions, though important for holistic care, does not address the principle of avoiding harm. Therefore, understanding non-maleficence serves as a critical foundation for ethical practice in healthcare.