Which ethical principle requires honesty?

• A. Veracity
• B. Justice
• C. Autonomy
• D. Nonmaleficence

Answer: (A)

The main concept tested is veracity, the duty to tell the truth. Veracity means being honest in communications with patients and others, disclosing relevant information, and avoiding deception. This is crucial for informed consent and for building trust, because patients need accurate information about their condition, treatment options, risks, and benefits to make decisions aligned with their values. Among the options, veracity is the one that directly requires honesty; the others relate to fairness (justice), respecting a person’s right to decide for themselves (autonomy), or avoiding harm (nonmaleficence), but they do not specify a duty to be truthful in every interaction.