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.

Obtain consent from the surgeon.

Contact the facility's ethics committee for guidance.

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

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. Obtain consent from the surgeon:
The surgeon is not the appropriate person to obtain consent from in this situation. Informed consent should ideally come from the client or a legal surrogate decision-maker, depending on the circumstances. Surgeons are responsible for discussing the procedure with the patient or their authorized representative before surgery, but obtaining consent is not the nurse's role.
C. Contact the facility's ethics committee for guidance:
While the ethics committee may provide guidance in complex ethical situations, the immediate concern in this emergency situation is to address the client's life-threatening condition. The nurse should prioritize actions that ensure the client receives timely and necessary medical care.
D. Keep the client stable until a family member arrives to give consent:
While obtaining consent from a family member is ideal, waiting for consent can delay critical and time-sensitive interventions. In emergency situations, the priority is to provide necessary medical care promptly to stabilize the client. If there is no one available to give consent immediately, healthcare providers may proceed with necessary interventions to preserve life and limb.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Use an 18-gauge, 1-inch needle to administer the medication.An 18-gauge needle is too large for subcutaneous heparin injections, which require a smaller, finer needle, typically 25- to 27-gauge and ⅜- to ⅝-inch in length. The smaller gauge reduces discomfort and is appropriate for subcutaneous tissue.

B. Inject 5.1 cm (2 in) away from the umbilicus.Heparin injections should be given at least 2 inches from the umbilicus to avoid areas with dense blood vessels, which decreases the risk of hematoma formation and improves medication absorption.

C. Expel air bubble before injecting medication.For prefilled heparin syringes, the small air bubble should not be expelled, as it helps ensure the full dose is administered and can reduce bruising by sealing the medication in the tissue.

D. Massage the injection site after withdrawing the needle.Massaging the site after a heparin injection is not recommended as it increases the risk of bruising and tissue irritation. Instead, gentle pressure may be applied briefly if there is bleeding at the site.

A. When preparing the medication dosage B. Directly before administering the medication C. When reconciling counts of controlled substances D. When removing the medication from the medication drawer E. At the end of the shift

Correct Answer is ["A","B","D"]

Explanation

Correct responses:

A. When preparing the medication dosage: Comparing the medication administration record with the medication label during preparation helps ensure the correct medication and dosage are being used.

B. Directly before administering the medication: This final check ensures that the medication being given matches the prescription and the right patient, minimizing the risk of errors.

D. When removing the medication from the medication drawer: This initial check ensures that the medication being retrieved is the correct one as per the medication administration record.

The other options are not directly related to verifying the medication administration record against the medication label:

C. When reconciling counts of controlled substances: This is important for ensuring accurate inventory but is not related to verifying medication administration.

E. At the end of the shift: This is not a time for verifying medication records and labels; it’s more related to end-of-shift documentation and handoff.

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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

A nurse is teaching a client how to self-administer heparin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client. At which of the following times should the nurse compare the medication administration record and the medication label? (Select all that apply.)

Correct Answer is ["A","B","D"]

Explanation

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