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. Eyelashes that curl slightly outward:

This is the correct answer. The direction and curl of eyelashes vary among individuals, but eyelashes that curl slightly outward are a normal and expected finding. This characteristic does not typically indicate any pathology or abnormality.

B. Eyelids that blink involuntarily 30 to 35 times per minute:

The normal range for involuntary blinking is approximately 15 to 20 times per minute. A rate of 30 to 35 blinks per minute may suggest increased nervousness or anxiety and is not within the expected normal range.

C. Corneas with an opaque appearance:

Normal corneas should have a clear and transparent appearance. Opacity of the cornea can be indicative of various eye conditions, such as corneal edema or scarring, and is not an expected finding in a healthy eye.

D. Pupils that are 8 to 9 mm in diameter:

The normal range for pupil size is approximately 2 to 6 mm in diameter. Pupils that are 8 to 9 mm in diameter may indicate abnormal dilation (mydriasis) and can be associated with conditions such as drug toxicity or neurological issues.

A. Swollen tongue B. Heart rate C. Breath sounds D. Blood pressure E. Temperature F. Urticaria

Correct Answer is ["A","B","C","F"]

Explanation

A.Swollen tongue: Swelling of the tongue can indicate an allergic reaction, which could progress to a severe condition known as anaphylaxis. Immediate intervention is necessary.

B. Heart rate: While the heart rate is not directly mentioned in the notes, an increase in heart rate could be a physiological response to an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis. Monitoring heart rate is crucial in assessing the severity of the reaction.

C. Bilateral breath sounds with scattered wheezing upon auscultation: Wheezing indicates a potential respiratory issue, and when associated with itching, urticaria, and swelling, it suggests an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis. Prompt intervention is needed.

D. Blood pressure: Although blood pressure is important to monitor, it is not directly mentioned in the nurses' notes. However, if anaphylaxis or a severe allergic reaction is suspected, blood pressure can be affected, and it should be monitored.

E. Temperature: Fever is not mentioned in the notes, and the information provided suggests an immediate allergic reaction rather than an infectious process. Monitoring temperature is generally important but may not be a priority in this specific context.

F.Urticaria (hives): Hives are a sign of an allergic reaction and, when accompanied by other symptoms like swelling, require immediate attention.

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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?

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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