The role of the nurse as patient advocate is accurately identified in which of these statements?

  1. Nurses evaluate only the negative outcomes of patient advocacy.
  2. Nurses provide only physical and emotional support.
  3. Advocacy practices are limited to within health care settings.
  4. Nurses work with patients, their families, other health care team members and third-party persons.
Number 4 is correct.
Rationale: Nurses work with patients and their families along with a variety of relevant health care team members and third-party persons. Evaluation of both positive and negative outcomes of patient advocacy should be addressed by the nurse. Providing physical, emotional, and spiritual support is within the scope of the nurse as an advocate. Advocacy practices may extend outside health care settings.