Final answer:
The nurse's immunosuppression does not affect the duty to treat an HIV-infected patient. Precautions can be taken to minimize the risk of infection transmission. The decision to treat should be based on professional responsibilities and ethical principles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse attending the patient being immunosuppressed would not be enough to move the duty to treat an HIV-infected patient to the moral option of treating or not treating. In healthcare, there is an ethical obligation to provide care to all patients regardless of one's personal health status. The duty to treat is based on the principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice, which require healthcare professionals to prioritize patient care and well-being.
An immunosuppressed nurse can take precautions to protect themselves and the patient from potential infections by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks, and gowns. Adhering to infection control protocols can minimize the risk of transmitting infections.
Ultimately, the decision to treat or not treat an HIV-infected patient should not be based on the nurse's health status but on professional responsibilities and ethical principles.