Administering narcotics against a patient's wishes violates which ethical principle?

• A. Veracity
• B. Autonomy
• C. Beneficence
• D. Fidelity

Answer: (B)

Respect for patient autonomy is about honoring an individual's right to make their own decisions about medical treatment. Administering narcotics against a patient’s wishes overrides their control over their body and undermines informed consent, which is the foundation of autonomy. Even if the goal is to relieve suffering, the patient’s right to accept or refuse treatment takes precedence, and respecting that choice is the core ethical obligation in this scenario. Veracity is about truth-telling, which isn’t the central issue here; beneficence focuses on doing good to the patient, but autonomy emphasizes honoring the patient’s self-determination, and fidelity concerns keeping promises or duties, which may be implicated only if a specific commitment was made.