A nurse in a clinic is reviewing laboratory reports for a group of clients. Which of the following diseases should the nurse report to the state health department?

a. Transport the client to the operating room without verifying informed consent:

This option suggests an urgent response, prioritizing the immediate need for surgery over the formal process of obtaining informed consent. In certain emergency situations, such as when a patient's life or health is in imminent danger and obtaining consent is not feasible, healthcare providers may proceed with treatment or surgery to prevent further harm or loss of life. However, this approach should be guided by established protocols, legal considerations, and the principle of providing the best possible care for the patient.

b. Delay the surgery until the nurse can obtain informed consent:

This option advocates for ensuring that the patient's autonomy and rights are respected by obtaining informed consent before proceeding with surgery. While obtaining consent is essential, delaying surgery may not always be feasible or advisable in emergency situations where prompt intervention is necessary to prevent deterioration of the patient's condition. However, if circumstances allow, making efforts to obtain informed consent is ethically and legally preferable.

c. Obtain telephone consent from the facility administrator before the surgery:

This option proposes seeking consent from a designated authority within the healthcare facility, such as a facility administrator, via telephone. While this approach may be practical in some cases, it may not always be sufficient to ensure that the patient's rights are fully respected, particularly if the administrator does not have the legal authority to provide consent on behalf of the patient. In emergency situations, obtaining consent from a legally authorized representative of the patient, if available, is generally preferred.

d. Ask the anesthesiologist to sign the consent:

This option involves delegating the responsibility of signing the consent form to another member of the healthcare team, in this case, the anesthesiologist. However, consent for surgery should ideally be obtained directly from the patient or their legally authorized representative, as they are the ones who have the right to make decisions about their medical care. Relying on another healthcare provider to sign the consent form may not adequately protect the patient's autonomy and legal rights.

a. “The client is in the radiology department for a chest x-ray.”

This information is relevant as it informs the oncoming nurse about the client's current location and the reason for the absence from the unit. It helps maintain awareness of the client's whereabouts and the ongoing diagnostic process.

b. “The client’s partner came to visit him 2 hrs. ago.”

While it's important to document visitor interactions in the client's chart, informing about a visit from 2 hours ago during a change-of-shift report may not be as pertinent to immediate patient care as other information. This detail can be communicated through other means, such as the client's chart or communication log.

c. “The client has routine vital signs prescribed.”is not as critical to include in the change-of-shift report because it is standard practice and does not provide specific, immediate information about the client’s current status or any changes that need to be monitored closely.

d. “The client is the president of a local bank.”

While interesting, this information is not relevant to the client's current medical condition or care plan. It does not contribute to the immediate care needs of the client and can be considered extraneous during a change-of-shift report.