A nurse is instructing a newly licensed nurse about the scope and standards of nursing practice. Which of the following describes standards of practice?

Choice A reason: Providing competencies for the nurses to achieve before licensure is not a description of standards of practice, but rather a function of the nursing education and accreditation system. Standards of practice are authoritative statements that define the expected level of performance for nurses after they obtain their license.

Choice B reason: Establishing a protocol for care to provide for a specific health problem is not a description of standards of practice, but rather a function of the clinical practice guidelines and evidence based practice. Standards of practice are broader and more general statements that apply to all nurses regardless of their specialty or setting.

Choice C reason: Specifying that nurses provide care that reflects current and competent level of behavior when providing client care is a description of standards of practice, as it captures the essence of what standards of practice are and why they are important. Standards of practice are based on the best available evidence and professional consensus, and they guide nurses in delivering safe, quality, and ethical care to their clients.

Choice D reason: Listing a set of skills that all nurses should be competent in performing, outlining responsibilities that every nurse is expected to provide regardless of their role is not a description of standards of practice, but rather a function of the scope of practice. Scope of practice describes the services that a qualified health professional is deemed competent to perform, and permitted to undertake, in keeping with the terms of their professional license..

Choice A reason: This statement is incorrect because administering an antiemetic to a client who has post chemotherapy nausea is not medically futile. It is a supportive measure that can help the client to manage the side effects of chemotherapy and improve their comfort and quality of life.
Choice B reason: This statement is incorrect because administering a narcotic analgesic to a client who has end stage cancer is not medically futile. It is a palliative measure that can help the client to relieve their pain and suffering and improve their comfort and quality of life.
Choice C reason: This statement is incorrect because administering oral care for a client who has post chemotherapy mucositis is not medically futile. It is a preventive measure that can help the client to avoid infections and complications and improve their oral health and hygiene.
Choice D reason: This statement is correct because administering chemotherapy to a client who has metastatic cancer is medically futile. It is a curative measure that has no reasonable chance of achieving its intended goal of eradicating the cancer or prolonging the client's survival. It may also cause harm or distress to the client by exposing them to unnecessary risks and side effects.