A nurse on the medical floor notices an increase in urinary tract infections (UTIs) among clients with indwelling urinary catheters. He records the findings and works with the unit manager and another nurse to develop a UTI risk assessment tool. Which is the correct description of the nurse’s actions?

  • advocacy
  • client rights
  • consultation
  • quality improvement
Number 4 is correct.
Quality improvement involves identifying areas and developing guidelines and policies to improve the quality of nursing practice. Advocacy is the process by which nurses inform clients of treatment options, side effects, and risks, and respect client choices even if they do not agree with them. The nurse is acting in the client’s best interest. Client rights give the client the right to refuse treatment or care. HIPAA is another example of client rights. Consultation involves communicating with other health care professionals or disciplines to provide needed care for a client.