The nurse learns that a patient cannot afford a prescribed medication and enlists the assistance of the social worker and an outside agency to provide medications at a lower cost. Which QSEN competency do the nurse's actions best demonstrate?

The correct answer is C: Patient-centered care. The nurse's actions demonstrate patient-centered care by prioritizing the patient's needs and advocating for cost-effective medication access. This aligns with the QSEN competency of focusing on individual patient preferences, needs, and values. Collaboration and teamwork (choice A) may be involved in the process, but the central focus is on the patient's affordability and access to medication. Evidence-based practice (choice B) involves using research to guide decisions, which is not the primary focus in this scenario. Quality improvement (choice D) focuses on enhancing healthcare processes and outcomes, which is not directly related to addressing the patient's financial constraints.