Capella FPX 4000 Assessment 3

Capella FPX 4000 Assessment 3

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Capella university

NURS-FPX4000 Developing a Nursing Perspective

Prof. Name

Date

Applying Ethical Principles

Understanding Food Insecurity Through an Ethical Lens

• Food Insecurity is a condition where individuals lack consistent access to enough nutritious food for a healthy life, affecting millions in the U.S.
• As of 2024, global hunger has remained persistently high for the third year in a row, with approximately 828 million people affected globally (WHO, 2022).
• Health Impact: Linked to chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and mental health issues—especially in vulnerable populations.
• Ethical Relevance: Food insecurity presents ethical challenges in healthcare, especially around fair access, harm reduction, and patient autonomy.
• Purpose: To explore how the four ethical principles and spheres of care guide nursing actions in addressing food insecurity.

Autonomy and Food Insecurity

Definition: Respecting a patient’s right to make informed decisions about their own health and well-being.

Application:

• Individuals must be empowered to choose nutritious foods—but food insecurity limits choices.
• Cultural preferences are part of autonomy; food deserts force people to abandon cultural/religious diets.
• Nurses educate patients on nutrition, enabling informed choices within limited resources (World Bank, 2025).
• Example: A diabetic patient frequently hospitalized for poor diet improves after receiving education and food assistance support.

Beneficence and Food Insecurity

Definition: The duty to act in the best interest of the patient.

Application:

• Nurses advocate for access to nutritious food to prevent illness.
• Referrals to food banks and SNAP support well-being.
• Dietary education helps manage diseases like diabetes and hypertension (Kumar et al., 2025).
• Example: A nurse links a malnourished patient to a food co-op, resulting in better energy and stability.

Nonmaleficence and Food Insecurity

Definition: “Do no harm”—avoid causing injury or suffering.

Application:

• Ignoring food insecurity worsens chronic and mental health conditions.
• Providers must screen for food insecurity.
• Ensure food sources are safe and nutritious (Kumar et al., 2025).
• Example: A clinic uses routine screening to catch malnutrition in elderly patients early.

Justice and Food Insecurity

Definition: Fair distribution of healthcare and resources.

Application:

• Equal access to healthy food for all patients, regardless of income.
• Low-income and minority groups face higher food insecurity.
• Nurses can advocate for expanding food assistance policies (Al Abosy et al., 2022).
• Example: A hospital partners with a nonprofit to distribute free meal boxes in underserved areas.

Bias and Food Insecurity

Definition: Preconceived judgments that affect clinical care.

Application:

• Stigma: Patients may be seen as lazy or noncompliant.
• Impact: Can lead to underdiagnosed malnutrition or overlooked social factors.
• Ethical Conflict: Bias breaches Justice and Nonmaleficence principles.
• Example: A provider dismisses repeat admissions without realizing food insecurity is the cause (Gherman et al., 2022).

Four Spheres of Care

1. Wellness – Promote healthy lifestyles and prevent illness.
2. Disease Prevention – Intervene early to avoid disease onset.
3. Chronic Disease Management – Help manage long-term illnesses.
4. Hospice/Palliative Care – Provide comfort-focused care for the seriously ill (Giddens & Mullaney, 2023).

Chronic Disease Management & Ethics in Food Insecurity

• Autonomy: Patients need nutrition education and options aligned with values. Without food access, autonomy is limited.
• Beneficence: Nurses must help patients manage chronic illnesses through nutritional support (Knight & Fritz, 2021).
• Nonmaleficence: Uncontrolled conditions due to poor diet cause harm; early intervention is necessary.
• Justice: Ethical care demands fairness, especially in low-income communities. Address systemic barriers (Knight & Fritz, 2021).

Nursing Action Example: A nurse screens a diabetic patient with uncontrolled hypertension and food access issues. The nurse coordinates SNAP enrollment, refers to low-sodium programs, connects with a dietitian, and provides culturally appropriate education—honoring all four ethical principles.

Conclusion

• Ethical Framework Matters: Autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice guide fair and compassionate care.
• Nursing’s Role Is Vital: Nurses are ethical advocates identifying and responding to food insecurity.
• Chronic Disease Link: Addressing food insecurity improves chronic illness outcomes and long-term wellness.

References

Al Abosy, J., Grossman, A., & Dong, K. R. (2022). Determinants and consequences of food and nutrition insecurity in justice-impacted populations. Current Nutrition Reports, 11(3), 407–415. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-022-00421-4

Gherman, M. A., Arhiri, L., & Holman, A. C. (2022). Ageism and moral distress in nurses caring for older patients. Ethics & Behavior, 33(4), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/10508422.2022.2072845

Giddens, J. F., & Mullaney, S. (2023). Incorporating the AACN essentials “spheres of care” into nursing curricula. Journal of Professional Nursing, 47(47), 9–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2023.03.015

Knight, J. K., & Fritz, Z. (2021). Doctors have an ethical obligation to ask patients about food insecurity: What is stopping us? Journal of Medical Ethics, 48(10). https://doi.org/10.1136/medethics-2021-107409

Capella FPX 4000 Assessment 3

Kumar, M. M., et al. (2025). The ethical value of universal screening for food security among adolescents and young adults. Journal of Adolescent Health, 76(2), 183–185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2024.10.014

WHO. (2022). UN Report: Global hunger numbers rose to as many as 828 million in 2021. https://www.who.int/news/item/06-07-2022-un-report–global-hunger-numbers-rose-to-as-many-as-828-million-in-2021

World Bank. (2025). What is food security? https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/agriculture/brief/food-security-update/what-is-food-security

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