A nurse has volunteered to practice in a disaster area in a developing country where supplies are extremely scarce.Despite bringing large amounts of supplies to the area, the volunteer group members find they are still very limited.The volunteer group decides to focus on providing care according to the ethical concept of utilitarianism.Which action by the group would best fit under this philosophy?
A) Choosing to treat children and pregnant women as priorities
B) Converting vehicles into ambulances for transport to hospitals
C) Establishing a mobile ventilator unit for critically ill patients
D) Providing clean water, food, shelter, and basic health care

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Utilitarianism focuses on doing the greatest good for the largest number of people.Presumably, the majority of people need fresh water; good food; shelter from the elements; and basic health care such as wound suturing, immunizations, and antibiotics.Choosing to treat children and pregnant women as priorities would be acting according to a perceived duty (assuming these patients are perceived as more "important" somehow), so this would be more in line with deontology.Converting vehicles into ambulances for transport to hospitals would not help the largest number of people, most of whom do not require hospitalization.Establishing a mobile ventilator unit for critically ill patients would only help a small number of people.

A Nurse Has Volunteered to Practice in a Disaster Area