Which ethical principle is demonstrated when a nurse applies a topical anesthetic before drawing blood?

• A. Beneficence, as it promotes the patient's well-being by reducing discomfort.
• B. Nonmaleficence, because it avoids all risk.
• C. Autonomy, because the patient makes the decision.
• D. Justice, because care is distributed fairly.

Answer: (A)

Applying a topical anesthetic before a blood draw exemplifies beneficence. This principle is about actively promoting the patient’s well-being and comfort. By taking steps to reduce the pain of the procedure, the nurse is doing good for the patient and helping improve the care experience. Nonmaleficence focuses on avoiding harm, which is related but narrower—this action goes beyond simply not causing harm by actively enhancing comfort. Autonomy concerns the patient’s right to make informed decisions about their care; while consent is important, the act of applying the anesthetic is about easing discomfort rather than a decision-making choice. Justice relates to fairness in distributing care, which isn’t the central idea here. So the best fit is beneficence because the nurse is actively promoting the patient’s welfare by reducing pain.