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 B
Explanation
A. Informing the provider that the PCA is not providing adequate pain relief is not accurate in this scenario because the client rates their pain as 2, indicating that they are experiencing minimal discomfort.
B. Asking the provider for a prescription to decrease the continuous rate is appropriate since the client has not needed to deliver any bolus doses for over 2 hours, suggesting that the current continuous rate may be higher than necessary for their pain level. Adjusting the PCA settings can help to prevent potential over-medication and side effects while maintaining adequate pain control.
C. Instructing the client to push the button more frequently is unnecessary as the client is already reporting low pain levels and has not expressed a need for additional medication.
D. Allowing the caregiver to push the PCA button when the client is resting is not recommended because PCA systems are designed for patient-controlled analgesia, ensuring that the patient manages their own pain without risking over-medication.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Using trochanter rolls helps maintain proper alignment and prevent external rotation of the hips, reducing the risk of hip contractures and pressure injuries.
B. Placing the client's arms at their side when turning them may restrict movement and is not recommended for maintaining circulation and preventing contractures.
C. Logrolling is typically used for clients with spinal cord injuries to maintain spinal alignment but is not necessary for all immobile clients and may not be feasible or appropriate every 4 hours.
D. Crossing the client's ankles when lying supine can lead to pressure injuries and compromised circulation in the lower extremities.
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