A nurse is preparing to obtain consent from a client who has a tibia fracture. The client received IV morphine sulfate prior to arrival on the unit and is scheduled for surgery. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Obtain consent from the client.
Acknowledge the client and sign the consent.
Obtain consent from a relative of the client.
Delay the procedure.
The Correct Answer is C
The correct answer is Choice C.
Choice A rationale: Obtaining consent directly from a client who has received IV morphine sulfate is invalid due to impaired cognitive function. Morphine acts on mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system, reducing alertness, memory retention, and decision-making capacity. Informed consent requires full comprehension of risks, benefits, and alternatives. Morphine’s sedative effects compromise this standard. Normal Glasgow Coma Scale should be 15 for full alertness; sedation lowers this, rendering consent legally and ethically unsound.
Choice B rationale: The nurse cannot legally sign the consent on behalf of the client, even if the client is acknowledged. This violates the principle of autonomy and informed decision-making. The nurse’s role is to witness the client’s signature, not substitute it. Morphine impairs cognition, and any consent obtained under its influence is invalid. Legal standards require that the client be alert, oriented, and capable of understanding the procedure. Proxy consent must be pursued if capacity is compromised.
Choice C rationale: When a client is under the influence of opioids and lacks decision-making capacity, consent must be obtained from a legally authorized representative, such as a relative or healthcare proxy. Morphine alters consciousness and impairs executive function, making the client temporarily incompetent. Legal surrogates are empowered to make healthcare decisions in such cases. This ensures ethical compliance and protects patient rights. The nurse must verify documentation of proxy authority before proceeding with consent.
Choice D rationale: Delaying the procedure may be necessary if no authorized proxy is available, but it is not the first action. The priority is to identify and contact a legally authorized representative to obtain valid consent. Delays can compromise care, especially in urgent surgical cases. The nurse must act promptly to secure proxy consent, ensuring procedural integrity and patient safety. Only if no proxy is reachable should delay be considered, with documentation of rationale.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The nurse is planning to use a democratic leadership style when conducting an in-service that encourages active member participation and feedback about decreasing nosocomial infections on the unit. A democratic leader values the input and opinions of team members and encourages participation and collaboration in decision-making. By encouraging active participation and feedback from team members, the nurse is demonstrating a democratic approach to leadership.
The other options are not the leadership style that the nurse plans to use in this situation. A laissez-faire leader [b] takes a hands-on approach and allows team members to make their own decisions without providing guidance or direction. An autocratic leader [c] makes decisions unilaterally without seeking input or feedback from team members. An open-door leader [d] maintains an open-door policy and is accessible to team members, but this does not necessarily involve active participation and feedback from team members.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
The charge nurse is demonstrating the right of supervision by checking with other nursing personnel on the unit throughout the day to determine if they are completing tasks. This means that the charge nurse is providing appropriate supervision and monitoring of the delegated tasks to ensure that they are being completed correctly and that the client's needs are being met.
Option B is incorrect because it refers to ensuring that the circumstances are appropriate for delegation.
Option C is incorrect because it refers to delegating tasks to the right person who has the appropriate skills and knowledge to complete them.
Option D is incorrect because it refers to clear communication between the delegator and delegatee about the task being delegated.
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