Upholding promises may come at the expense of fairness. Which principle is challenged?

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

Answer: (C)

Upholding promises ties to fidelity—being faithful to commitments you’ve made. However, if keeping a promise to one client means others don’t receive fair access to time, resources, or attention, fairness suffers. Justice requires treating all clients equitably and ensuring that each person has a fair opportunity to receive care. When fidelity to a single promise creates unequal treatment or priority, the aspect most directly challenged is justice.

Beneficence would focus on doing good for a client, and autonomy on honoring a client’s choices; these are important, but the scenario specifically highlights a fairness issue across clients, which is a justice concern.