ETHICAL THEORIES APPLICATION

"A nurse assigned to care for a patient who is confirmed to be a NCOV-

19 positive, might have strong fears about contracting the disease and transmitting it
to her husband and three young children. Is it ethical for the nurse to refuse the
assignment?"
Utilitarianism- Yes, it is ethical for the nurse to refuse the assignment. Clearly,
the nurse would not worry as much if she declined the NCOV-19 positive patient as
this would not risk her transmitting the virus to her family. Her being safe would let her
live longer and would let the nurse from helping more future patients. To add this
decision would keep her and her family safe, bringing her happiness knowing her family
is safe.
Natural law- As human beings, our natural instinct is to survive and avoid
anything that risks our lives. By this statement, refusing would be ethical; the nurse will
refuse the assignment given to her because accepting this patient would risk her life
and the life of her husband and children.
Deontological theory- Refusing the patient would be unethical because, as a
nurse, they took an oath that they will practice their profession properly and as a nurse
it is their duty to accommodate and take care of patients, especially in the hospitals
that they work to and, refusing the patient from the treatment they need would be
against their duty and thus, considered unethical.
Virtue ethics- The basis on which the nurse refuses to the assignment is ethical
or unethical is the virtues that she has developed over time. Even if she refuses to her
assigned patient, the action would be ethical if it goes with her virtues. If she thinks
that refusing is the right thing to do, then this would be ethical. But, if she refuses and
this decision does not make her feel like a virtuous person or that doing this is against
her virtue, this action or decision is unethical.
Justice- If the nurse refuses the assignment, then it would be ethical as, just like
other people, we are all entitled to rightness and fairness. If the nurse refuses the
assignment, then it is her decision and must be respected as she is also entitled with
her own free will. In contrast, from the patient's perspective, it is also their right to
receive medication and treatment from the hospital that they go to. From this point of
view, refusing them would be unethical as this violates the fairness between patients
to receive treatment from the hospital.