A nurse is caring for a client who had a stroke and coughs frequently when swallowing. The nurse should request a referral to which of the following members of the interdisciplinary team?

A. Place the sterile field at the level of the nurse's hips:

This is incorrect. The sterile field should be placed at a waist or chest level to maintain its sterility. Placing it at the level of the nurse's hips increases the risk of contamination from airborne particles, clothing, or unsterile surfaces.

B. Pour liquids into containers outside the sterile field:

This is incorrect. Pouring liquids into containers outside the sterile field may lead to contamination. All actions involving sterile items should be performed within the sterile field to maintain its integrity and prevent the introduction of microorganisms.

C. Hold bottles of sterile solution with the label in the palm of the hand:

Hold bottles of sterile solution with the label in the palm of the hand:This is correct. This prevents label from becoming wet and illegible.

D. Open the outermost flap of the sterile kit toward the body:

Open the outermost flap of the sterile kit toward the body:This is incorrect. When opening a sterile kit, the nurse should open the outermost flap first and away from the body. This minimizes the risk of reaching over the sterile field, reducing the chance of accidental contamination.

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.