The physician is planning to take the patient to surgery in the morning and leaves an order for the nurse to get the patient to sign the surgical permit. The physician's note indicates that the patient has been educated on the procedure

Question

However, the patient tells the nurse, "I have no idea what he's going to do. He rushed in and rushed out so fast, I couldn't ask any questions." The nurse does not allow the patient to sign the permit and calls the physician to inform him of the patient's statement. This is an example of the nurse acting as
a. Patient advocate.
b. Patient educator.
c. Manager.
d. Clinical nurse specialist.

Answer 1

ANS: A
As a patient advocate, the nurse protects the patient's human and legal rights, including the right of the patient to understand procedures before signing permits. Although nurses can be educators, it is the responsibility of the surgeon to provide education for the patient in preparation for surgery, and it is the nurse's responsibility to notify the physician if the patient is not properly educated. Managers coordinate the activities of members of the nursing staff in delivering nursing care, and clinical nurse specialists are experts in a specialized area of nursing practice in a variety of settings.