A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client who is unconscious and requires emergency medical procedures. The nurse is unable to locate members of the client's family to obtain consent. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Contact the facility's ethics committee
Obtain consent from the client's employer
Limit care to comfort measures
Proceed with provision of medical care
The Correct Answer is D
Proceed with provision of medical care.
- A. Contact the facility's ethics committee: This is incorrect because it is not an urgent action and it does not address the client's immediate needs. The ethics committee can be consulted later if there are ethical dilemmas or conflicts regarding the client's care.
- B. Obtain consent from the client's employer: This is incorrect because it is not a valid source of consent. The employer has no legal or ethical authority to make decisions for the client, unless they are also a designated surrogate or proxy.
- C. Limit care to comfort measures: This is incorrect because it does not meet the standard of care for an emergency situation. The nurse has a duty to provide life-saving interventions for a client who is unconscious and requires emergency medical procedures, unless there is evidence of a valid advance directive that states otherwise.
- D. Proceed with provision of medical care: This is correct because it follows the principle of implied consent, which assumes that a reasonable person would consent to emergency treatment if they were able to do so. The nurse should document the circumstances and continue to search for family members or other sources of consent.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
- A. Adjust the crutches for comfort as needed. This is incorrect because the crutches should be adjusted to fit the client's height and arm length, and should not be changed without proper guidance.
- B. Use a three-point gait. This is correct because this gait allows the client to avoid putting weight on the affected leg and maintain balance and stability.
- C. Wear leather-soled shoes. This is incorrect because leather-soled shoes can be slippery and increase the risk of falls and injuries.
- D. Advance the affected leg first when walking upstairs. This is incorrect because the client should advance the unaffected leg first when walking upstairs, and the affected leg first when walking downstairs.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
- A. This client is at risk of harming themselves by removing the IV line, which could cause bleeding, infection, or loss of medication. This is a priority issue that requires immediate intervention by the nurse.
- B. This client is experiencing a common side effect of pain medication, which can be managed by administering antiemetics, fluids, or changing the medication. This is not a life-threatening issue and can be addressed after attending to the client in choice A.
- C. This client has a chronic condition that requires regular dialysis, but they are not in acute distress at this time. They should be monitored for signs of fluid overload, electrolyte imbalance, or infection, but they are not a priority over the client in choice A.
- D. This client has a psychosocial need that should be respected and supported by the nurse, but it is not an urgent issue that requires immediate attention. The nurse can arrange for a visit from the chaplain after attending to the client in choice A.
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