Theoretical Application to a Critical Care Nursing Case Study

Theoretical Application to a Critical Care Nursing Case Study

Scenario: A nurse is working the PM shift in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) – located on the pediatric wing of the hospital. There are 25 patients (babies) in the NICU and 18 of those patients are on ventilator support. 14 nurses are working on the unit in addition to 1 unit secretary and 2 nurses’ assistants. What should the nurse do/what ethical action should the nurse take when faced with the situation of an active shooter in the hospital’s pediatric wing?

1. Describe the actions that a nurse using utilitarian theory would take in this instance.
2. Describe the actions that a nurse using a deontological perspective would take.