Final answer:
The ethical principle that supports the decision not to administer pain medication is nonmaleficence, which requires healthcare providers to avoid actions that cause harm to patients.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the ethical principles that guide decisions in clinical settings, the ethical principle that supports the decision not to administer the pain medication is nonmaleficence. This principle emphasizes that healthcare providers should act in ways that do not cause harm to others. In certain clinical situations, withholding pain medication could be justified under nonmaleficence if administering the medication would lead to greater harm or if there are contraindications to its use.
This principle is closely related to the medical maxim 'primum non nocere,' meaning 'first, do no harm.' It is particularly relevant when any potential harms are considered, and patients are subjected to only those interventions that are necessary for effective treatment. The decision to not administer pain medication would require a comprehensive assessment of risk versus benefit for the patient, always with the goal of minimizing harm.