Question

which situation best represents a breach of the ethical principle of nonmaleficence? offering emotional support to a dying patient giving a placebo during a clinical trial reporting a colleagues medication error providing experimental treatment without proper disclosure

Explanation:

• Nonmaleficence means to do no harm. Offering emotional support to a dying patient is a positive action, not a breach.
• Giving a placebo during a clinical trial (when ethical guidelines are followed, e.g., informed consent) is not a breach.
• Reporting a colleague’s medication error is a responsible action to prevent harm, not a breach.
• Providing experimental treatment without proper disclosure can potentially harm the patient (as they can’t make an informed decision) and thus breaches nonmaleficence.

Answer:

Providing experimental treatment without proper disclosure.