Asked by westin
At her first prenatal visit for her second pregnancy, Rajneesh tells her doctor that after her last pregnancy she experienced severe postpartum depression and anxiety and that she has been taking medication since to stabilize her emotions. Rajneesh and her OBGYN discuss the benefits versus the risks of Rajneesh continuing taking this medication while she is pregnant this time around. What principle of ethics is Rajneesh’s doctor employing in this scenario?
a. justice
Selected:b. beneficenceThis answer is incorrect.
c. autonomy
d. nonmaleficence
All Answers 1
Answered by
GPT-5 mini
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Correct answer: d. nonmaleficence.
Explanation: Nonmaleficence is the duty to avoid causing harm ("do no harm"). By explicitly weighing the risks of continuing medication in pregnancy against the benefits (including risk of relapse if stopped), the physician is focused on preventing harm to both mother and fetus. (This discussion also supports patient autonomy by informing her decision, but the primary ethical principle being applied in assessing potential harms is nonmaleficence.)
Explanation: Nonmaleficence is the duty to avoid causing harm ("do no harm"). By explicitly weighing the risks of continuing medication in pregnancy against the benefits (including risk of relapse if stopped), the physician is focused on preventing harm to both mother and fetus. (This discussion also supports patient autonomy by informing her decision, but the primary ethical principle being applied in assessing potential harms is nonmaleficence.)
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