A nurse performs CPR on a choking patient and in the process breaks the sternum, which then leads to the patient's death. Which ethical theory would say that the nurse's actions were inherently good because of the intent, regardless of the outcome?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Deontology is an ethical theory that emphasizes the importance of following moral rules, duties, and obligations regardless of the consequences. According to this theory, an action is considered inherently good if it is done with the right intention or motive, even if the outcome is not desirable. In this case, the nurse's intention was to save the patient's life, which is a moral duty for healthcare professionals. Breaking the patient's sternum and causing unintended harm was not the intention of the nurse, but a possible consequence of performing CPR. Therefore, deontology would support the idea that the nurse's actions were ethically justified because they were based on a moral obligation to save the patient's life.

A Nurse Performs CPR on a Choking Patient and in the Process