In the ethics of care framework, who does the term 'the one-caring' identify?

• A. The patient
• B. The nurse
• C. The family
• D. The individual who provides care

Answer: (D)

In the ethics of care, the one-caring is the person who provides care in the relationship. This is the agent who notices needs, takes responsibility, and acts to respond with support and help. The patient or recipient of care is the one being cared for, but the label one-caring specifically identifies the caregiver—the individual who engages in caring actions within that relationship. A nurse can be the one-caring, but the term isn’t limited to professionals; it applies to anyone who assumes the role of caring for another. The emphasis is on the relational act of noticing, committing, and responding to another’s needs, rather than on the person who receives care.