Describe the role of patient advocacy as outlined in the BKAT.

Patient advocacy is a fundamental role for nurses, emphasizing the importance of supporting and promoting patients' rights and preferences. This role involves ensuring that patients are fully informed about their healthcare options, understanding their rights, and having their voices heard in the planning and delivery of their care. Advocacy means that nurses actively work to empower patients to make informed decisions about their treatment while respecting their values and preferences.

By fostering a supportive environment, nurses can help patients navigate complex healthcare systems and articulate their desires for their own care. This approach not only enhances the quality of patient care but also upholds the ethical principles of autonomy and respect for individual choices.

In contrast, prioritizing hospital policies over patient wishes, focusing solely on physical needs, or limiting patient involvement in decision-making would undermine the very essence of patient-centered care and advocacy. Such actions could lead to a dismissive attitude towards patients' individual needs and rights, which is counterproductive to the goal of effective nursing practice.