What does the term "non-maleficence" refer to in healthcare ethics?

The term "non-maleficence" in healthcare ethics specifically refers to the principle of doing no harm to patients. This principle emphasizes that healthcare professionals, including Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), have an ethical obligation to prevent any actions that may cause harm or suffering to patients. Non-maleficence is one of the core tenets of medical ethics and is crucial for maintaining trust in the patient-caregiver relationship. By adhering to this principle, healthcare workers ensure that their interventions and interactions promote patient safety and well-being, avoiding any practices that could inflict injury, pain, or distress.

The other options represent important ethical principles but do not define non-maleficence directly. For instance, the obligation to provide the best possible care focuses more on beneficence, which is about actively contributing to a patient's well-being. The right of patients to make their own choices relates to autonomy, a different ethical concept emphasizing respect for individuals' rights to determine their own treatment paths. Meanwhile, the duty to provide equitable treatment aligns with justice in healthcare ethics, which addresses fairness and equality in the distribution of medical resources and care. Therefore, the focus on preventing harm is what distinctly sets non-maleficence apart as a key tenet of