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 A

Explanation

A.Ensuring the client's heels are not touching the mattress: Pressure injuries, particularly on the heels, are common in clients who are immobile and on bed rest. Elevating the heels off the mattress helps to alleviate pressure and reduce the risk of developing pressure injuries in this area.

B.Massaging the client's bony prominences: Massage can increase the risk of tissue damage and is not recommended as a preventive measure for pressure injuries.

C.Raising the head of the client's bed to a 60° angle: While elevation may be beneficial for certain conditions, it is not a direct preventive measure for pressure injuries. Repositioning and pressure relief are more crucial.

D, Reposition the client every 4 hr.

Repositioning the client regularly is indeed a crucial measure to prevent pressure injuries. However, repositioning every 2 hours is typically recommended for clients at risk of developing pressure injuries, as prolonged pressure on any one area can lead to tissue damage.

A. Elevate full-length side rails on both sides of the client's bed. B. Place the bedside table 0.9 m (3 feet) away from the bed. C. Keep the client's room temperature at 18° C (64.4" F). D. Provide the client with a night light.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Elevate full-length side rails on both sides of the client's bed:

While side rails are used to prevent falls, full-length side rails can pose a risk to the client. They may give a false sense of security, and there's a risk of entrapment or injury if the client tries to climb over them. The use of side rails requires careful assessment and consideration of the individual client's needs.

B. Place the bedside table 0.9 m (3 feet) away from the bed:

Placing the bedside table 0.9 m (3 feet) away from the bed may not directly address the risk of falls. The focus should be on making essential items easily accessible to the client to minimize the need for them to get out of bed, especially during the night. Placing items within the client's reach is a more practical approach.

C. Keep the client's room temperature at 18°C (64.4°F):

While maintaining a comfortable room temperature is important for the client's overall well-being, it is not a direct preventive measure for falls. Falls are more likely to be prevented by addressing environmental factors, ensuring clear pathways, and providing adequate lighting.

D. Provide the client with a night light:

This is the appropriate action. A night light helps improve visibility during nighttime, reducing the risk of falls. It allows the client to see their surroundings better and navigate the room safely if they need to get out of bed.

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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

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