Patient Advocacy
Patient advocacy is the act of supporting and protecting patients' rights, safety, and best interests within the healthcare system. Nurses serve as patient advocates by ensuring informed consent, protecting patient rights, facilitating communication, and speaking up when patient safety is at risk.
Exam Tip
Nurses are patient advocates and mandatory reporters. Use the chain of command to report safety concerns. Respect patient autonomy (right to refuse treatment). Know HIPAA and patient rights. LPNs report abuse, neglect, and safety concerns through proper channels.
What Is Patient Advocacy?
Patient advocacy is a fundamental nursing role that involves acting on behalf of patients to ensure their rights are respected, their needs are met, and their safety is protected. Every nurse, including LPNs, has a professional and ethical obligation to advocate for their patients.
Core Patient Rights
| Right | Description |
|---|---|
| Informed consent | Right to receive information about treatments and make voluntary decisions |
| Refusal of treatment | Right to decline any treatment, even life-sustaining measures |
| Privacy and confidentiality | Right to have health information protected (HIPAA) |
| Dignity and respect | Right to be treated with respect regardless of condition |
| Cultural and religious considerations | Right to have cultural beliefs respected in care |
| Access to medical records | Right to view and obtain copies of health records |
| Safe care environment | Right to receive care free from abuse, neglect, or exploitation |
| Pain management | Right to appropriate pain assessment and management |
LPN Advocacy Actions
| Situation | Advocacy Action |
|---|---|
| Patient doesn't understand treatment | Reinforce education; notify RN if further teaching needed |
| Patient wishes not being followed | Communicate patient preferences to the healthcare team |
| Unsafe staffing or conditions | Report through proper chain of command |
| Suspected abuse or neglect | Report as mandated reporter per state law |
| Patient unable to speak for self | Ensure advance directives are followed |
| Medication error observed | Report immediately; follow facility incident reporting |
| Cultural needs not being met | Facilitate interpreter services; adapt care to cultural needs |
Chain of Command for Advocacy
- Direct supervisor (charge nurse/RN)
- Unit manager
- Nursing supervisor/House supervisor
- Department director
- Risk management
- State board of nursing (if unresolved)
Ethical Principles in Advocacy
| Principle | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Autonomy | Respect the patient's right to make their own decisions |
| Beneficence | Act in the patient's best interest |
| Nonmaleficence | Do no harm |
| Justice | Treat all patients fairly and equitably |
| Fidelity | Keep promises and be loyal to the patient |
| Veracity | Tell the truth |
Exam Alert
Patient advocacy questions appear in the Coordinated Care and Psychosocial Integrity categories on the NCLEX-PN. Know patient rights, the chain of command for reporting concerns, and that the LPN is a mandatory reporter for suspected abuse. Always prioritize patient safety over convenience or workplace politics.
Study This Term In
Related Terms
Advance Directive
An advance directive is a legal document that allows individuals to specify their healthcare preferences and designate a decision-maker in case they become unable to communicate or make decisions for themselves. Common types include living wills and durable power of attorney for healthcare.
Scope of Practice (Nursing)
Scope of practice defines the legal boundaries of what a healthcare professional is authorized to do based on their education, licensure, and state Nurse Practice Act. For LPNs/LVNs, the scope includes basic nursing care, data collection, medication administration, and care plan implementation under RN or physician supervision.
Delegation (Nursing)
Delegation in nursing is the process of transferring responsibility for performing a specific nursing task to another qualified individual (such as a CNA or UAP) while retaining accountability for the outcome. The five rights of delegation guide safe delegation decisions.
Nursing Process
The nursing process is a systematic, five-step problem-solving framework used by nurses to provide patient-centered care: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADPIE). It is the foundation of all nursing practice and the organizing framework for the NCLEX.
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