In attempting to decide which services should be offered to a community, the public health nurse decides to implement hypertension screening and treatment because most of the residents are hypertensive. This decision is based on the principle of:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: utilitarianism. Utilitarianism is the ethical principle that actions should be chosen based on their ability to maximize overall happiness or well-being. In this scenario, implementing hypertension screening and treatment for a community where most residents are hypertensive aligns with utilitarianism as it aims to benefit the greatest number of people by improving their health outcomes. This decision focuses on the overall good of the community, making it the most ethical choice.
Rationale for why other choices are incorrect:
A: Veracity is the principle of truthfulness. While honesty is important in healthcare decision-making, it is not the primary factor in this scenario.
B: Values refer to personal beliefs and principles. While values may influence decision-making, the primary focus in this scenario is on maximizing community health outcomes.
D: Autonomy is the principle of respecting individuals' right to make their own decisions. While autonomy is important in healthcare, it is not the guiding principle in this scenario where the focus is