Final answer:
A Clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is a graduate-prepared (master's level) advanced practice nurse who specializes in a particular area of nursing practice, with a focus on providing expert clinical advice as well as engaging in education and research. Option b is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The graduate preparation (master's level) in a specialized area of nursing practice that involves an expert clinician with additional responsibilities for education and research is known as a Clinical nurse specialist (CNS). A CNS is an advanced practice nurse who provides expert advice related to specific conditions or treatment pathways.
They are leaders in the healthcare setting and often take on duties that include mentoring or training less experienced nurses, contributing to research, and improving healthcare delivery systems.
Nurse researchers focus primarily on conducting research for improving the nursing field, nurse practitioners provide advanced care and typically have more autonomy in clinical settings, and nurse administrators manage the operations of nursing units or healthcare organizations.