A nurse is instructing a newly licensed nurse about the scope and standards of nursing practice. Which of the following describes standards of practice?
A.
Provides competencies for the nurses to achieve before licensure.
B.
Establishes a protocol for care to provide for a specific health problem.
C.
Specifies that nurses provide care that reflects current and competent level of behavior when providing client care.
D.
Lists a set of skills that all nurses should be competent in performing, outlines responsibilities that every nurse is expected to provide regardless of their role.
The Correct answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is C. Specifies that nurses provide care that reflects current and competent level of behavior when providing client care.
Explanation:
The scope and standards of nursing practice are crucial frameworks that guide the nursing profession. These standards are designed to ensure that all nurses provide high-quality, evidence-based care that aligns with the ethical and legal expectations of the profession. Let’s analyze each option to understand why option C is the correct choice.
Option A: Provides competencies for the nurses to achieve before licensure.
This statement is incorrect because competencies for licensure are typically outlined in nursing education programs and are validated through licensing exams, such as the NCLEX-RN. While competencies are essential, they do not constitute the standards of practice.
Option B: Establishes a protocol for care to provide for a specific health problem.
This option is misleading. Protocols are specific plans or procedures for managing particular health problems and are often institution-specific. Protocols are not synonymous with standards of practice, which are broader and more generalizable across all settings.
Option D: Lists a set of skills that all nurses should be competent in performing, outlines responsibilities that every nurse is expected to provide regardless of their role.
This statement is partly accurate but does not fully describe the standards of practice. While skills and responsibilities are crucial, the standards of practice encompass more than just technical skills—they include professional behavior, ethics, and the ability to provide evidence-based care.
Option C: Specifies that nurses provide care that reflects a current and competent level of behavior when providing client care.
This option accurately reflects the standards of practice. The standards of practice are designed to ensure that nurses consistently deliver care that is up-to-date with current medical knowledge and that they perform their duties competently. These standards serve as a benchmark for professional behavior, decision-making, and clinical performance. They emphasize the importance of continual learning and adaptation to new evidence, technologies, and patient care practices. By adhering to these standards, nurses can provide safe, effective, and ethical care that meets the needs of their patients.
In summary, the standards of practice are the foundation of nursing care, guiding nurses to provide competent and ethical care that meets the current standards of the profession. These standards are critical in ensuring that all nurses, regardless of their specific role, provide high-quality care that is aligned with the profession’s expectations.