Paragraph Per Question: What Is The Nurse's Primary Responsi

1 Paragraph Per Questionwhat Is The Nursesprimaryresponsibility For

What is the nurse's primary responsibility for patient advocacy in this situation during and after the incident? How should the nurse have advocated for the patient and family when the patient's status changed that Wednesday night? How should the nurse have advocated for the patient and family when the daughter called the unit to inquire about her mother the following morning? How should the ICU nurse have advocated for the patient and family when the daughter called to find out information about her mother? How should the nurse advocate for the patient and family when the friend does arrive at the hospital within the hour? How should the nurse advocate for the patient and family when the daughter arrives in the afternoon? What two steps should be taken to ensure that this kind of situation doesn't happen again?

Paper For Above instruction

Patient advocacy is a fundamental role of nursing, entailing protection and promotion of the patient's rights, well-being, and preferences within the healthcare setting. During and after a medical incident, the nurse’s primary responsibility is to serve as an advocate by ensuring transparent communication, safeguarding the patient's dignity, and facilitating informed decision-making. In the specific scenario where a patient's status changed unexpectedly Wednesday night, the nurse should have immediately informed the patient and family of the clinical developments in a clear, compassionate manner, emphasizing truthful information while supporting emotional needs. Advocating effectively in this context also involves verifying that the patient’s care preferences and advanced directives are respected and acting as a liaison between the healthcare team and the family to clarify medical options and potential outcomes.

When the patient's daughter called the unit the following morning to inquire about her mother, the nurse's advocacy role required providing accurate, timely, and empathetic information about the patient's condition, adhering to confidentiality policies and emphasizing transparency. The nurse should have also assessed the daughter’s informational needs and emotional state, offering reassurance as appropriate while avoiding disclosures that could cause distress or violate privacy. If the patient's condition was unstable or incomplete, the nurse should have explained that further assessments or consultations were needed and promised to keep the family informed with updates.

As the ICU nurse received a call from the daughter seeking detailed information about her mother’s health, advocacy involved balancing the patient's confidentiality with the family's right to be informed. The nurse should have confirmed the identity of the caller, explained the limitations of sharing information over the phone, and encouraged direct communication between the family and the primary care team for comprehensive updates. Additionally, the nurse could advocate by documenting all communications accurately and alerting the multidisciplinary team about the family's concerns, ensuring that they receive appropriate, consistent information through official channels.

When the patient’s friend arrived at the hospital within the hour, the nurse’s advocacy responsibilities included facilitating respectful and ethical communication, respecting patient privacy, and providing the friend with enough information to understand the situation without compromising confidentiality. The nurse should have courteously confirmed the visitor's identity, explained the hospital’s visitation policies, and directed the friend to the appropriate staff for official updates. Advocating also involves safeguarding the patient’s dignity by ensuring conversations remain confidential and that the visitor’s presence does not interfere with ongoing medical care.

Upon the daughter's arrival in the afternoon, the nurse’s advocacy role expanded to providing comprehensive, empathetic, and transparent communication about the patient’s current condition and care plan. The nurse should have created a supportive environment, listened actively to the daughter’s concerns, and involved her in care decisions within the scope of medical appropriateness. Effective advocacy also involves verifying that all relevant healthcare providers are aligned on the patient’s status and ensuring the family’s questions and emotional needs are addressed. This fosters trust and promotes collaborative decision-making.

To prevent similar situations in the future, two critical steps should be implemented: first, enhancing communication protocols to ensure timely, consistent, and clear information sharing with family members and visitors. Second, providing ongoing education and training for nursing staff on patient advocacy, confidentiality, and effective communication skills. These measures would promote a culture of transparency, respect, and advocacy, minimizing misunderstandings and ensuring that patient-centered care remains a priority in critical situations.

References

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