A patient in pain demands that healthy teeth be extracted; the dentist disagrees clinically. Which two ethical principles are most directly in tension?

Correct answer: B. Autonomy and beneficence

• A. Justice (fair allocation) and veracity (truth-telling) are not the central conflict here.
• B. Correct. The patient's autonomy (right to choose) is weighed against beneficence (the dentist acting in the patient's best interest).
• C. Fidelity and justice are not the principles primarily at odds in this scenario.
• D. While nonmaleficence is relevant, the classic framing of this dilemma is autonomy vs. beneficence.