Which principle is the obligation to tell the truth?

• A. Fidelity
• B. Veracity
• C. Informed Consent
• D. HIPAA

Answer: (B)

Veracity is the principle that centers on truth-telling and honest communication. In professional settings, being truthful respects others’ autonomy by giving them accurate information to make informed decisions, and it builds trust as a foundation for any ethical relationship. While telling the truth is essential, other concepts describe related ideas: fidelity focuses on loyalty and keeping promises, including protecting confidentiality; informed consent refers to ensuring someone understands information before agreeing to a course of action, which relies on truthful information but describes the consent process itself; and HIPAA concerns protecting the privacy and security of health information rather than the act of truth-telling. Veracity directly captures the obligation to disclose truthful information, making it the best fit for describing the duty to tell the truth.