Which of the following actions is within the nursing scope of practice?

Requesting the assistance of social services for a client is well within the nursing scope of practice. Nurses play a critical role in addressing the holistic needs of patients, and part of that includes identifying resources that can provide additional support. When a nurse assesses a client's situation and determines that social services could help address psychosocial, financial, or other needs—such as housing, transportation, or counseling services—they are acting within their professional responsibility to advocate for their patient's well-being.

In contrast, the other options involve actions that fall outside the typical responsibilities or scope of nursing practice. Offering medication to someone who is not the patient can pose risks related to medication administration and appropriateness. Asking a physician for a prescription change is generally acceptable; however, it often requires a specific clinical assessment or the authority for the request, which may not align with a nurse's practice or authority without additional context. Lastly, recommending herbal supplements can raise safety and efficacy concerns, especially regarding potential interactions with prescribed medications or existing conditions, making it an area requiring careful consideration and typically outside the independent scope of nursing practice.