A nurse is delegating care to assistive personnel. Which of the following assignments should the nurse make?

A) The surgeon should delay surgery until he can obtain informed consent from a parent:

This option is not feasible in emergencies where immediate surgical intervention is required to save the client's life or prevent further harm. Delaying surgery could jeopardize the client's health and violate the principle of beneficence, which prioritizes the client's well-being.

B) The client's pediatrician can obtain implied consent:

While pediatricians often play a role in providing medical care to minors, implied consent typically pertains to emergency situations where immediate intervention is necessary, and obtaining consent from a parent or legal guardian is not possible. In this scenario, the surgeon, rather than the pediatrician, would be responsible for obtaining consent.

C) The surgeon can proceed with the surgery by invoking implied consent:

In emergency situations where immediate surgical intervention is required to prevent harm or save a client's life, healthcare providers may proceed with treatment under the doctrine of implied consent. Implied consent assumes that a reasonable person would consent to necessary medical treatment if they were able to do so. However, the specific legal requirements for invoking implied consent may vary depending on jurisdiction and institutional policies.

D) The surgeon can obtain informed consent from the client's adult cousin:

While obtaining consent from a close family member may be necessary in certain situations, such as when a parent is unavailable, it may not be legally sufficient in emergency situations where immediate action is required. Additionally, the legal authority to provide consent may vary depending on the jurisdiction and the client's age. In this scenario, relying on informed consent from the client's adult cousin could delay necessary surgical intervention and may not be appropriate without further legal clarification.

A) Assist in checking a unit of packed RBCS to administer to a client:

Assisting in checking a unit of packed red blood cells (RBCs) for transfusion is within the nurse's scope of practice. Nurses are responsible for verifying blood products before administration, ensuring compatibility, proper labeling, and appropriate handling to prevent transfusion reactions.

B) Regulate the client's infusion pump after initiating a heparin drip infusion:

Regulating the client's infusion pump after initiating a heparin drip infusion falls within the nurse's scope of practice. Nurses commonly administer and monitor intravenous medications, including heparin drips, and are responsible for regulating the infusion pump to deliver the medication at the prescribed rate.

C) Teach a client about hemodialysis:

Teaching a client about hemodialysis is within the nurse's scope of practice. Patient education is a fundamental aspect of nursing care, and nurses often provide information to clients and their families about various healthcare procedures, treatments, and self-care management, including hemodialysis.

D) Create a plan of care for a client's discharge:

Creating a plan of care for a client's discharge is within the nurse's scope of practice. Nurses are involved in discharge planning, which includes coordinating with the healthcare team, assessing the client's needs, providing education about post-discharge care, arranging follow-up appointments, and ensuring a smooth transition to the next level of care or home.