Which principle is primarily concerned with preventing harm to clients in forensic nursing?

The principle that is primarily concerned with preventing harm to clients in forensic nursing is nonmalfeasance. This ethical principle emphasizes the obligation to avoid causing harm and to refrain from actions that could potentially injure patients. In forensic nursing, practitioners encounter vulnerable populations and sensitive situations where the risk of harm can be significant. Therefore, adhering to nonmalfeasance is essential, as it ensures that nurses prioritize the safety and well-being of their clients.

While other principles such as beneficence, which focuses on doing good and promoting the welfare of clients, and accountability, which relates to being responsible for one's actions and decisions, are also vital in nursing practice, it is the principle of nonmalfeasance that specifically targets the prevention of harm. Justice refers to fairness in the distribution of benefits and risks, but nonmalfeasance directly addresses the ethical commitment to safeguard clients against harm, making it the most relevant principle in this context.