Which of the following is an aspect of beneficence?

• A. Do no harm
• B. Act in the patient's interest and provide comfort
• C. Respect patient autonomy
• D. Protect data privacy

Answer: (B)

Beneficence means actively promoting the patient’s well‑being and reducing suffering. Act in the patient’s interest and provide comfort is the clearest example because it directly aims to improve the patient’s condition and experience. It embodies taking concrete steps to benefit the patient, such as managing pain, easing distress, or supporting recovery.

The other ideas point to different ethical duties. Do no harm reflects nonmaleficence, the obligation to avoid causing harm. Respecting patient autonomy focuses on honoring the patient’s own values and decisions. Protecting data privacy concerns confidentiality and the safeguarding of personal information, which is important but relates to privacy rights rather than directly increasing the patient’s immediate well-being. In practice, clinicians balance beneficence with autonomy and nonmaleficence, but the action that clearly promotes the patient’s well-being is the core example of beneficence.