Beneficence is best described as which of the following?

• A. Do no harm
• B. Doing good and promoting the well-being of others
• C. The duty to respect patient choices
• D. The aim to maximize happiness

Answer: (B)

Beneficence means doing good and promoting the welfare of others. In clinical ethics it involves actions that benefit patients—choosing treatments that improve health, relieve suffering, and support quality of life, while carefully weighing benefits and risks. It’s an active obligation to contribute to a patient’s welfare, not merely to avoid harm. Respecting patient choices is a separate duty (autonomy), and while the idea of maximizing happiness can relate to welfare, beneficence is best captured by actively promoting well-being rather than pursuing happiness as an end in itself.