Public Health Nursing Practice Exam

Which example represents an ethical dilemma?

1. Whether or not to set up a community health center in a rural area

2. Allocating resources in a natural disaster

3. Deciding to withdraw care on a hospice patient

4. Applying the principles of Florence Nightingale in Bangladesh

The correct answer is: Allocating resources in a natural disaster

The choice regarding allocating resources in a natural disaster represents an ethical dilemma because it involves making difficult decisions about limited resources that can significantly impact the lives of many individuals. In times of crisis, such as a natural disaster, public health professionals must balance competing needs and prioritize interventions, which can lead to difficult choices about who receives care and resources. This situation may involve weighing the urgency of different cases against the overall benefit to the population, considering factors like severity of need, potential outcomes, and equitable distribution. In this context, ethical dilemmas are characterized by the presence of conflicting values or principles that complicate decision-making. For instance, a health worker might have to choose between providing aid to a larger number of less critical cases versus focusing limited resources on a smaller number of critically wounded individuals. This balancing act is central to public health ethics and exemplifies the complexity associated with triage and resource allocation in emergencies. Other scenarios, while significant, do not present the same level of moral conflict. Establishing a community health center involves planning and logistical challenges but does not typically involve immediate, life-altering ethical decisions. Withdrawing care for a hospice patient is ethically complicated, but it often aligns with patient autonomy and goals of care. Similarly, applying Florence Nightingale