What is the primary purpose of risk management in nursing?

The primary purpose of risk management in nursing is fundamentally about ensuring patient safety. This involves systematically identifying potential risks that could harm patients and implementing strategies to reduce or eliminate those risks. By focusing on patient safety, risk management helps to create a safer healthcare environment, which is essential for delivering high-quality care.

Effective risk management includes various activities such as conducting risk assessments, reporting incidents, and analyzing trends to prevent future occurrences. By actively engaging in these processes, healthcare providers can improve patient outcomes and maintain trust and satisfaction among patients and their families.

Other options such as increasing hospital revenue or entertaining patients do not directly relate to the core goals of risk management. Similarly, creating more paperwork may occur as part of the process, but it is not a purpose in itself; rather, it's a byproduct of ensuring compliance and thorough documentation in the pursuit of improved patient safety.