Question

A nurse caring for a preoperative patient is told by the patient, "The doctor just had me sign a paper. I wish I knew what it was all about." The nurse goes to report this to the physician. The nursing role adopted by the nurse is

a. provider of care.
b. counselor.
c. change agent.
d. patient advocate.

Answer 1

The nurse is acting as a patient advocate by reporting to the physician the patient's lack of understanding of the consent form, especially crucial in the preoperative phase for informed decision-making.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the scenario described, where the nurse reports the patient’s uncertainty about the consent form to the physician, the nurse is adopting the role of d. patient advocate. As a patient advocate, the nurse is ensuring that the patient's rights are respected and that they are fully informed before undergoing any procedure, particularly in the preoperative phase. This kind of advocacy is critical for patient safety and autonomy, ensuring that they have the necessary information to make informed decisions about their care.