Final answer:
Nursing is a healthcare profession that includes the diagnosis and treatment of human responses to health and illness, operating collaboratively with but not dependent upon physicians. It involves educational, supportive, and public health roles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The accurate description of nursing is that it includes the diagnosis and treatment of human responses to health and illness. Nursing is a distinct healthcare profession that operates collaboratively with physicians but is not dependent upon them. Nurses play an integral role in patient care, focusing on helping individuals, families, and communities to attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life. Nurses assess the healthcare needs of patients, plan and provide care, and help patients understand their health conditions alongside other healthcare professionals including physicians.
Nurses are trained to address the physical, psychological, and social aspects of patient care. They often use their skills to educate patients and the public about health conditions, provide emotional support to family members, and contribute to broader public health initiatives. In terms of the relationship between physicians and nurses, authority can differ across settings, but nurses are highly skilled professionals with their own responsibilities and scopes of practice.