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?
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.
Prepare the client for surgery.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Contacting the ethics committee for guidance is not important in an emergency situation since it may result in delays putting the patient in danger.
B. Keeping the client stable is important, but obtaining consent from the appropriate channels is necessary before proceeding with surgery.
C. The surgeon cannot provide consent on behalf of the client.
D. The nurse should prepare the client for surgery. This is based on the legal principle of implied consent in emergency situations where immediate action is necessary to preserve life or prevent significant harm. Generally, if the client's life is in danger and urgent treatment is necessary, consent may be implied on the basis that the treatment is in the best interest of the client. The nurse's priority is to ensure the client's stability and prepare them for surgery while the medical team takes the necessary steps to proceed with the treatment in the absence of explicit consent.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Client advocate: By observing a newly licensed nurse perform a straight catheterization, the nurse manager is ensuring that the procedure is done correctly and safely, thereby advocating for the client's safety and quality of care.
B. Client care provider: The nurse manager is not directly providing the care but is overseeing the procedure to ensure it is performed correctly.
C. Case manager: The role of a case manager involves coordinating care and services for the client, not directly overseeing procedural performance.
D. Client educator: While there is an element of education involved, the primary focus of this observation is ensuring client safety and advocating for the best care practices, rather than directly teaching the procedure at this moment.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Beginning a blood transfusion without consent is a breach of ethical principles, but it's not specifically negligence unless harm results.
B. Discussing client care in a public area violates privacy regulations and facility policy but is not an example of negligence.
C. Administering medication without properly identifying the client violates standard procedures and could lead to medication errors, which is a form of negligence.
D. Preventing a client from leaving the facility may be necessary to ensure their safety, depending on the circumstances, and is not necessarily an example of negligence.
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