Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

In healthcare ethics, what term describes the principle of prioritizing patient interests above all else?

1. Justice

2. Nonmaleficence

3. Patient autonomy

4. Beneficence

The correct answer is: Beneficence

The term that describes the principle of prioritizing patient interests above all else is beneficence. This principle emphasizes the obligation of healthcare providers to act in the best interest of the patient, promoting their well-being and taking positive steps to improve their health outcomes. In practical terms, beneficence means that healthcare professionals should be proactive in providing care, ensuring that treatments and interventions are advantageous and enhance the quality of life for patients. In contrast, other principles such as justice relate to fairness in distributing healthcare resources, nonmaleficence focuses on the duty to avoid causing harm, and patient autonomy underscores the importance of respecting patients' rights to make their own decisions regarding their care. While all of these principles are vital in the field of healthcare ethics, beneficence specifically encapsulates the commitment to prioritize the welfare and interests of the patient above all other considerations.