Question

In response to a student's question regarding choosing a psychiatric specialty, a charge nurse states, 'Mentally ill clients need special care. If I were in that position, I'd want a caring nurse also.' From which ethical framework is the charge nurse operating?

1) Kantianism
2) Christian ethics
3) Ethical egoism
4) Utilitarianism

Answer 1

The charge nurse is operating from an ethics of care perspective by emphasizing the importance of compassion and empathy, aligning closely with the caring aspect of Christian ethics.

Step-by-step explanation:

The charge nurse seems to be operating from the ethics of care framework. The ethics of care is a moral theory that emphasizes the importance of nurturing traits such as compassion, empathy, and responsiveness to the needs of others, especially those vulnerable or dependent on the care of others. While the ethics of care is not one of the listed options, it most closely relates to Christian ethics in this scenario, given that this ethical perspective also emphasizes caring and compassion. However, ethics of care uniquely focuses on the relational and interdependent nature of human beings, valuing the emotional commitment to the well-being of others, rather than adhering to a set of prescribed principles or rules.