A patient has an emergency but your office is out-of-network for their insurance; you provide the treatment free of charge. This best reflects which principle?

Correct answer: C. Beneficence

• A. Incorrect (though the study group chose it) – justice concerns FAIR distribution of resources/equal treatment; a single act of free care for an individual is most directly beneficence.
• B. Incorrect – about the patient's right to decide.
• C. Correct – acting to benefit the patient (relieving the emergency regardless of payment) is beneficence.
• D. Incorrect – about honesty/truth-telling.