A patient, nearing the end of life, tells the nurse that the one thing that he will "miss the most" is the taste of ice cream. By providing this patient with ice cream during his dying days, the nurse is implementing which of the following ethical theories?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Act utilitarianism attempts to determine, in a given situation, which course of action will bring the greatest happiness, or the least harm and suffering, to a single individual. The patient stated that he will "miss" ice cream. The nurse provides the dying patient with ice cream. This is an example of act utilitarianism. Rule utilitarianism seeks the greatest happiness for all. The situation is not an example of rule utilitarianism. Act deontology is based on the personal moral values of the person making the ethical decision and rule deontology is based on the belief that certain standards for ethical decisions transcend the individual's moral values. This situation is not an example of either act or rule deontology.

A Patient, Nearing the End of Life, Tells the Nurse