What should a nurse do if a patient requests changes to care without the provider’s input?

• A. Explore concerns, ensure safety, and involve the physician or team to discuss alternatives.
• B. Immediately implement requested changes.
• C. Ignore the request.
• D. Refer the patient to hospital policy.

Answer: (A)

Collaborative communication and patient safety guide actions when a patient asks for changes to care without provider input. The nurse should first explore the patient’s concerns, clarify exactly what change is being requested, and assess whether the proposed change could pose risks. If safety could be compromised or the request deviates from the current plan, involve the physician or health-care team to discuss options, provide explanations, and obtain appropriate consent before any modification is made. This approach honors the patient’s autonomy while ensuring decisions are medically appropriate and within professional scope. Document the discussion, the assessment findings, and the resulting plan to maintain clear records. Changes should not be implemented unilaterally, as that can endanger the patient and breach standards of care. Ignoring the request neglects patient concerns and can damage trust, while simply directing the patient to hospital policy avoids personalized, shared decision-making. By engaging the provider or team, the patient’s preferences are considered within a safe, evidence-based plan.