Final answer:
Nonmaleficence in health care means that health care providers should not cause harm to patients and it is regarded as their first obligation towards the patient.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nonmaleficence is c. a health care provider's first obligation to the patient is to do no harm. This principle requires that medical professionals and health care providers act in ways that do not cause needless harm or injury to patients. In the medical field, this ethical principle is paramount, ensuring that any potential harms are weighed carefully against the potential benefits of treatment, procedures, or tests that a patient may undergo. It's also a key consideration in research settings, where nonmaleficence is essential in designing trials to minimize harm to participants.