What type of power does a nurse possess when they are sought out to teach clients self-care activities?

When a nurse is sought out to teach clients self-care activities, they are utilizing expert power. This type of power arises from the knowledge, skills, and expertise that the nurse possesses in the field of healthcare. Clients recognize the nurse's capability to guide them, and as a result, they value their input and seek their advice.

Expert power is critical in a healthcare setting because it fosters trust and encourages collaboration between the nurse and the clients. By possessing expert power, a nurse can effectively educate clients, empowering them to take charge of their own health through informed self-care practices. This recognition of expertise is fundamental in building a therapeutic relationship and facilitating patient education, which is an essential aspect of nursing practice.

Other types of power, like reward, legitimate, or information power, do not directly connect to the scenario of teaching self-care, as they rely on different dynamics within the nurse-client relationship. Reward power involves offering incentives, legitimate power stems from a formal position in the hierarchy, and information power concerns possessing specific knowledge without necessarily having it accredited by expertise.