Fundamentals of Nursing Q 400
Nurses agree to be advocates for their patients. The practice of advocacy calls for the nurse to:
A. Seek out the nursing supervisor in conflicting situations.
B. Work to understand the law as it applies to the client’s clinical condition.
C. Assess the client’s point of view and prepare to articulate this point of view.
D. Document all clinical changes in the medical record in a timely manner.
Correct Answer: C. Assess the client’s point of view and prepare to articulate this point of view.
Nurses strengthen their ability to advocate for a client when nurses are able to identify personal values and then accurately identify the values of the client and articulate the client’s point of view. Nurse advocates support the patient’s best interests while respecting the family’s important role. They attend healthcare team meetings with the patient and family to clarify any communication problems and ensure information from the healthcare team is complete and correct.
Option A: Throughout the treatment process, the nurse follows the progress of the patient and acts accordingly with the patient’s best interests in mind. The care provided by a nurse extends beyond the administration of medications and other therapies. They are responsible for the holistic care of patients, which encompasses the psychosocial, developmental, cultural, and spiritual needs of the individual.
Option B: Nurses are also responsible for ensuring that patients are able to understand their health, illnesses, medications, and treatments to the best of their ability. This is of the essence when patients are discharged from the hospital and need to take control of their own treatments.
Option D: A nurse is directly involved in the decision-making process for the treatment of patients. It is important that they are able to think critically when assessing patient signs and identifying potential problems so that they can make the appropriate recommendations and actions.