Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Exam

What ethical principle relates to the fair distribution of limited healthcare resources?

1. Autonomy

2. Justice

3. Beneficence

4. Confidentiality

The correct answer is: Justice

The principle of justice is fundamentally concerned with the fair distribution of resources, which includes healthcare. This principle emphasizes that all individuals should have equal access to care and that resources should be allocated in a manner that is fair and impartial. In the context of limited healthcare resources, justice prompts healthcare providers to consider how to distribute these resources equitably among patients, ensuring that vulnerable populations do not disproportionately bear the burden of scarcity. This principle is particularly relevant in scenarios where resources such as medications, treatment options, and healthcare services are limited, as it guides decision-making processes to ensure everyone receives fair consideration regardless of socioeconomic status, race, or other potentially bias-inducing factors. The other principles, although important in ethical reasoning, focus on different aspects of care. Autonomy relates to a patient's right to make informed decisions about their own healthcare, beneficence involves acting in the best interest of the patient to promote good, and confidentiality pertains to respecting and protecting patient privacy. Each of these principles plays a role in healthcare ethics, but justice is specifically tasked with addressing resource allocation.