Final answer:
The ethical principle that requires health professionals to fully inform their patients and protect the confidentiality of the patients is the principle of c. veracity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ethical principle that requires health professionals to fully inform their patients and protect the confidentiality of the patients is the principle of veracity.
The principle of veracity emphasizes the importance of truthfulness and honesty in healthcare. Health professionals are obligated to provide accurate and complete information to their patients, enabling them to make informed decisions about their healthcare.
Confidentiality, another aspect of the principle of veracity, ensures that patients' personal and health information remains private and is not shared without their consent.