What is a primary goal of nursing care?

The primary goal of nursing care is to promote the health and well-being of patients. This encompasses a broad range of responsibilities that nurses undertake to support patients throughout their healthcare journey. Promoting health and well-being involves not just addressing illness, but also encouraging preventative measures, providing education about healthy lifestyles, and advocating for patients' needs and preferences.

In the nursing profession, the focus is holistic, considering not just physical health, but also emotional, psychological, and social factors that affect patient welfare. Nurses play a critical role in assessing patients, implementing care plans, coordinating with other healthcare professionals, and evaluating outcomes, all of which contribute to enhancing patients’ overall quality of life.

The other options, while important aspects of healthcare, do not solely encompass the broad responsibilities and ultimate goal of nursing practice. Administering medications is an important function, but it is one part of a much larger role that includes patient education and emotional support. Performing surgical procedures is typically outside the scope of nursing practice, as this is usually the responsibility of surgeons and surgical teams. Documenting patient complaints is essential for effective communication and record-keeping but does not reflect the primary aim of nursing, which is centered on holistic patient care.