Final answer:
According to the ANA Code of Ethics, it would be unethical for a nurse to refuse to care for an HIV-positive patient. Nurses should provide care to all patients regardless of their health status, while taking appropriate precautions to ensure their own safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the ANA Code of Ethics, it would be unethical for a nurse to refuse to care for a patient who is diagnosed as HIV positive. The ANA Code of Ethics requires nurses to provide care to all patients regardless of their health status, and refusing to care for a patient based on their HIV diagnosis would go against that principle.
However, it is important to note that nurses are not required to compromise their own personal safety. They should take appropriate precautions and follow established infection control protocols to ensure their own safety while providing care to patients with HIV.
By providing care to all patients, including those diagnosed with HIV, nurses can uphold the ethical principle of beneficence by promoting the well-being and health of their patients.