Capella FPX 4000 Assessment 3

Name

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

Wellness – Promote healthy lifestyles and prevent illness.
Disease Prevention – Intervene early to avoid disease onset.
Chronic Disease Management – Help manage long-term illnesses.
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