Nursing Jurisprudence and Ethics for Texas Nurses Practice Exam

Patient advocacy is fundamentally about protecting and promoting patients' rights. This involves standing up for the needs and preferences of patients in the healthcare system and ensuring that they receive appropriate care that respects their values and wishes.

Advocacy encompasses a commitment to ensuring that patients have access to necessary information about their treatment options, are involved in their care decisions, and that their rights to privacy and autonomy are upheld. This role includes supporting patients in navigating complex healthcare systems and making informed choices regarding their health.

While promoting better hospital policies, advocating for healthcare providers, and ensuring healthcare access for all are important areas of focus within the healthcare system, they do not capture the essence of patient advocacy as clearly as protecting and promoting patients' rights does. Patient advocacy is specifically centered on the individual needs and rights of patients, making it a crucial aspect of nursing practice.