A nurse is assisting with the preparation of an in-service to review the Code of Ethics (COE) with a group of nursing colleagues. Which of the following statements should the nurse make during the in-service about the COE?

Choice A reason: This statement is incorrect because protecting a client’s personal health information is not an example of client advocacy, but a legal and ethical obligation of the nurse. The nurse should follow the principles of confidentiality and privacy, and only share the client’s information with authorized persons or entities, or with the client’s consent.
Choice B reason: This statement is incorrect because keeping a promise to return to a client’s room is not an example of client advocacy, but a professional and courteous behavior of the nurse. The nurse should be honest, reliable, and respectful to the client, and follow through with their commitments and expectations.
Choice C reason: This statement is incorrect because accepting responsibility for their own actions is not an example of client advocacy, but a personal and professional accountability of the nurse. The nurse should be aware of their scope of practice, standards of care, and code of ethics, and act accordingly. The nurse should also admit their mistakes, report errors, and seek help when needed.
Choice D reason: This statement is correct because communicating a client’s wishes to their provider is an example of client advocacy. The nurse should act as a liaison between the client and the provider, and ensure that the client’s needs, preferences, and values are respected and considered in the decision-making process. The nurse should also support the client’s right to self-determination and informed consent.

Choice A reason: Providing competencies for the nurses to achieve before licensure is not a description of standards of practice, but rather a function of the nursing education and accreditation system. Standards of practice are authoritative statements that define the expected level of performance for nurses after they obtain their license.

Choice B reason: Establishing a protocol for care to provide for a specific health problem is not a description of standards of practice, but rather a function of the clinical practice guidelines and evidence based practice. Standards of practice are broader and more general statements that apply to all nurses regardless of their specialty or setting.

Choice C reason: Specifying that nurses provide care that reflects current and competent level of behavior when providing client care is a description of standards of practice, as it captures the essence of what standards of practice are and why they are important. Standards of practice are based on the best available evidence and professional consensus, and they guide nurses in delivering safe, quality, and ethical care to their clients.

Choice D reason: Listing a set of skills that all nurses should be competent in performing, outlining responsibilities that every nurse is expected to provide regardless of their role is not a description of standards of practice, but rather a function of the scope of practice. Scope of practice describes the services that a qualified health professional is deemed competent to perform, and permitted to undertake, in keeping with the terms of their professional license..