A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client who is unconscious and requires surgery. There is no one available to give consent for the treatment. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Prepare the client for surgery.

Contact the facility's ethics committee for guidance.

Keep the client stable until a family member arrives to give consent.

Obtain consent from the surgeon.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. Prepare the client for surgery: In emergency situations, if immediate intervention is required to save the client’s life or prevent significant harm, the principle of implied consent may apply. This means that if the client is unconscious and immediate treatment is necessary, healthcare providers may proceed with treatment under the assumption that the client would consent if able. However, this should be done in accordance with facility policies and legal guidelines.

B. Contact the facility's ethics committee for guidance: Contacting the ethics committee can be helpful for guidance on how to handle consent issues in complex situations, but it might not provide a timely solution for immediate emergency situations.

C. Keep the client stable until a family member arrives to give consent: While stabilizing the client's condition is important, waiting for a family member to arrive to give consent may not be feasible in emergency situations where immediate treatment is necessary. The nurse should seek guidance from appropriate channels to determine the best course of action.

D. Obtain consent from the surgeon: Surgeons do not have the authority to provide consent for treatment on behalf of a client who is unconscious. Consent must come from a legally authorized decision-maker, such as the client themselves if they have previously provided informed consent, or a designated healthcare proxy.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Use a trochanter roll:

A trochanter roll is a positioning device placed alongside the hip to prevent external rotation of the hip joint and maintain proper alignment of the lower extremities. While it is important for maintaining proper hip alignment, it does not specifically address preventing plantar flexion contractures.

B. Use foot splints.

Plantar flexion contractures occur when the muscles and tendons in the foot and ankle become shortened, leading to a fixed downward pointing of the foot. Foot splints are devices designed to maintain the foot in a neutral position, preventing the development of contractures by keeping the ankle dorsiflexed. They help stretch the muscles and tendons in the foot and ankle, preventing them from becoming shortened over time.

C. Apply an abduction pillow to the legs:

An abduction pillow is a positioning device used to maintain proper hip alignment and prevent adduction of the hips and knees. While it is essential for preventing hip contractures and maintaining hip alignment, it does not directly address preventing plantar flexion contractures.

D. Prop the feet up:

Elevating the feet may be beneficial for improving circulation and reducing swelling, but it does not specifically address preventing plantar flexion contractures. In fact, prolonged elevation of the feet without proper support may increase the risk of developing contractures by allowing the foot to remain in a plantar flexed position for extended periods.

A. Avoid pinching the skin when injecting the needle. B. Use pen needles that have a safe-needle protection device attached. C. Use the dominant hand to recap the needle before removing it from the pen device. D. Remove the needle from the pen device before placing the needle in a sharps container.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Avoid pinching the skin when injecting the needle:

This instruction is not specific to the use of a prefilled, multidose pen for insulin administration. Pinching the skin may be necessary for some injection techniques but is not directly related to the use of a prefilled pen.

B. Use pen needles that have a safe-needle protection device attached.

Using pen needles with a safe-needle protection device attached ensures safe handling and disposal of the needle after use, reducing the risk of accidental needlestick injuries. These devices help prevent accidental needlesticks by covering the needle after use, reducing the risk of transmission of bloodborne pathogens.

C. Use the dominant hand to recap the needle before removing it from the pen device:

Recapping needles is not recommended as it increases the risk of needlestick injuries. Additionally, the use of the dominant hand for recapping is not essential and may not be safe practice.

D. Remove the needle from the pen device before placing the needle in a sharps container:

It's crucial to dispose of needles safely in a sharps container immediately after use without removing the needle from the pen device. Removing the needle before disposal increases the risk of needlestick injuries. The entire pen needle unit, including the needle, should be disposed of intact into an appropriate sharps container to minimize the risk of injury to healthcare workers and others handling the waste.

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A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client who is unconscious and requires surgery. There is no one available to give consent for the treatment. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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