A nurse is reinforcing teaching about ethical dilemmas with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following should the nurse identify as the first step in the ethical reasoning process?

A) Ask the provider to give consent for the transfusion:

The provider cannot override the decision made by the client's designated healthcare proxy. Even if the provider were to give consent for the transfusion, it would not be ethically or legally appropriate to proceed with the treatment against the expressed wishes of the client's healthcare proxy.

B) Discuss taking guardianship of the client with the facility administration:

Seeking guardianship of the client would be an extreme measure and may not be necessary or appropriate in this situation. Guardianship is typically pursued when there are concerns about an individual's capacity to make decisions for themselves and when there is no designated healthcare proxy available to make decisions on their behalf. In this case, the client has a designated healthcare proxy, and it is more appropriate to respect the daughter's decision as the client's authorized representative.

C) Respect the daughter's decision to refuse the transfusion:

In situations where a client has designated a durable power of attorney for healthcare, the individual designated as the healthcare proxy has the legal authority to make healthcare decisions on behalf of the client, including the refusal of treatment. In this case, the daughter, acting as the client's healthcare proxy, has refused the blood transfusion for her mother. It is important for the nurse to respect and honor the daughter's decision, as it aligns with the client's previously documented wishes.

D) Encourage the daughter to let her mother have the transfusion:

While it is understandable that the nurse may want to advocate for the client's well-being, in this situation, the daughter's decision as the client's healthcare proxy must be respected. Encouraging the daughter to change her decision would not be appropriate if it goes against her understanding of what is in her mother's best interests and the client's previously documented wishes.

A) Turn off electrical equipment in the client's room: While turning off electrical equipment can help prevent the spread of fire if the source is electrical, it may not be the most immediate action to take after removing the client from the room. The priority is to activate the alarm to alert others and initiate the fire response protocol.

B) Use a Class A fire extinguisher to contain the fire: Using a fire extinguisher is a potential action, but the type of fire extinguisher needed depends on the type of fire. Class A fire extinguishers are suitable for ordinary combustibles such as wood and paper. However, since the source of the fire is a trash can, the fire may involve combustible materials beyond Class A. Therefore, activating the alarm takes precedence over extinguishing the fire.

C) Close the door to the client's room: Closing the door can help contain the fire and prevent its spread to other areas. While this action is important, it is secondary to activating the alarm, which alerts others to the fire and initiates the response process.

D) Activate the alarm outside the client's room: This is the most appropriate action to take first. Activating the alarm alerts others to the fire, enabling them to respond promptly and effectively. It initiates the facility's fire response protocol, including evacuating occupants and summoning the fire department. This action ensures the safety of everyone in the vicinity and allows for a coordinated emergency response.