Which principle emphasizes truth telling to patients?

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

Answer: (D)

Veracity means truth telling and honest communication with patients. It requires clinicians to be transparent about diagnoses, prognoses, risks, and options so patients can make informed choices and trust the care they receive. Providing truthful information supports informed consent and respects the patient’s right to know what is happening with their health.

Autonomy is about the patient’s right to self-determination and to make decisions based on complete information; veracity supplies the truthful information that autonomy relies on. Fidelity is about loyalty and keeping promises, which includes honesty but broadens beyond merely truth-telling. Beneficence is acting in the patient’s best interest to do good; telling the truth often advances this goal, but the specific obligation described here—truth telling—is captured by veracity.