Which statement best defines justice in nursing ethics?

• A. The concept of confidentiality.
• B. The concept of fairness.
• C. The concept of autonomy.
• D. The concept of beneficence.

Answer: (B)

Justice in nursing ethics means fairness in how care is provided and how resources are allocated. It requires that every patient has access to the same standard of care regardless of background, and that treatment decisions are based on need and clinical factors rather than bias or privilege. In practice, this means practicing equitable triage, advocating for policies that reduce disparities, and ensuring no patient is underserved because of nonclinical characteristics. The other concepts—confidentiality, autonomy, and beneficence—address different ethical concerns: confidentiality protects private information, autonomy honors the patient’s right to make their own choices, and beneficence focuses on acting in the patient’s best interest. Justice specifically centers on fairness and equal treatment for all patients.