What describes the role of the nurse as a collaborator?

• A. Nurses work in isolation to ensure patient safety
• B. Work with others to achieve quality care; ensure goals met and patient orders carried out; communicate with entire team
• C. Focus only on direct patient care without team communication
• D. Lead all aspects without collaboration

Answer: (B)

Collaborative practice means the nurse works with other health professionals to achieve quality care. The nurse shares information, coordinates actions, and participates in decision-making to ensure patient goals are met and orders are carried out, with clear, ongoing communication to the entire care team. This teamwork supports safety, continuity, and efficient care, because every member understands the plan and how their part fits into it.

Choosing an approach that emphasizes isolation or only direct, non-communicative care contradicts how modern nursing functions within a team. Similarly, leadership without collaboration ignores the essential interprofessional input that guides patient-centered decisions. In real-world practice, collaboration includes participating in rounds, coordinating with physicians, therapists, social workers, and other nurses, ensuring timely execution of orders, and maintaining open channels of communication across the whole team.