A nurse is collecting data about a client’s oral care. The client wears dentures and reports having mouth sores.
The nurse should identify which of the following oral care practices by the client as a possible cause of the mouth sores?

The correct answer is choice D. Placing a pillow under the client’s flexed leg is part of the Sims’ position, which is a way of lying on the left side, with the right hip and knee bent and the left arm behind the back.

It is used for vaginal and colonic examinations and natural childbirth.

Choice A is wrong because positioning the client’s arms at his sides is not part of the Sims’ position.

The left arm should be behind the back.

Choice B is wrong because elevating the client’s feet with two pillows is not part of the Sims’ position.

The lower leg should be straightened and the upper leg should be bent.

Choice C is wrong because raising the head of the client’s bed to a 30° angle is not part of the Sims’ position.

The bed should be flat or slightly tilted.

The correct answer is choice A: "I will speak with your provider on your behalf."

Choice A rationale: The principle of advocacy in nursing involves supporting and speaking up for clients to ensure their rights, needs, and preferences are respected. By offering to speak with the provider on the client's behalf, the nurse demonstrates advocacy by actively working to represent the client's interests and facilitate communication between the client and the health care team.

Choice B rationale: While promising to fulfill commitments is an aspect of maintaining professional integrity, it does not directly demonstrate advocacy. Advocacy is more about actively supporting the client's rights and needs rather than personal dedication to fulfilling promises.

Choice C rationale: Maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of client information is essential in nursing practice, but it is not specifically related to advocacy. Privacy is a separate ethical principle that focuses on protecting the client's personal information and upholding their right to privacy.

Choice D rationale: Encouraging clients to make decisions about their health care is important for promoting autonomy. However, advocacy involves actively supporting the client's decisions and ensuring their rights are respected, rather than simply allowing them to make decisions.