Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

Clinical nurse specialists must adhere to which type of statements that direct minimal competent care?

1. Ethical practice

2. Collaboration

3. Standards of care

4. Scope of practice

The correct answer is: Standards of care

The concept of standards of care pertains specifically to the level of care that is expected from a competent health care professional in a particular field under similar circumstances. For clinical nurse specialists, these standards provide clear guidelines and benchmarks for what constitutes minimally acceptable care in various clinical scenarios. These standards are often informed by clinical evidence, best practices, and regulatory guidelines, ensuring that patient safety and quality of care remain paramount. By following the standards of care, clinical nurse specialists can make informed decisions about how to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate care for their patients, ensuring that they meet legal and ethical obligations while providing effective interventions. Adhering to these standards also serves to maintain professional accountability and enhance the quality of nursing practice in the field of adult-gerontology. While ethical practice, collaboration, and scope of practice are crucial components of nursing care, they do not specifically define the minimum competency expected in clinical care situations as standards of care do. Ethical practice guides moral decision-making, collaboration emphasizes working with other healthcare professionals, and scope of practice delineates the boundaries of what a nurse can do based on their education and certification. However, it is the standards of care that specifically address the competency that is expected, ensuring safety and effectiveness in patient care.