What is advocacy?

• A. Support of a particular cause
• B. Professional discipline
• C. Clinical skills
• D. Legal action

Answer: (A)

Advocacy in nursing means supporting and protecting a patient’s rights, preferences, and well-being, especially when the patient cannot fully advocate for themselves. It involves helping patients understand their options, respecting their choices, communicating their needs to the healthcare team, and helping them access needed resources. This is why the best answer is the support of a particular cause—the patient’s rights and health outcomes. It’s different from a professional discipline (the field’s standards and knowledge), clinical skills (hands-on abilities to care for patients), or legal action (court procedures).