A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is caring for a client transferred from another department. The nurse should verify that the client has given informed consent prior to which of the following procedures?

Answer is c. Receiving moderate sedation.

a. Removal of staples from a surgical wound: This procedure is typically considered routine and minimally invasive, involving the removal of staples used for wound closure. While it involves physical manipulation of the wound site, it does not carry significant risks or require the alteration of the patient's consciousness. Therefore, obtaining informed consent for this procedure is not typically necessary as it falls within the standard of care for post-operative wound management.

b. Providing a sputum specimen: Collecting a sputum specimen is a non-invasive procedure commonly performed to aid in the diagnosis of respiratory conditions such as infections or chronic lung diseases. It involves expectorating mucus from the respiratory tract, which does not pose significant risks to the patient. As such, informed consent is usually not required for this procedure since it is relatively simple and does not involve any invasive interventions or alteration of consciousness.

c. Receiving moderate sedation: Correct. Moderate sedation involves the administration of drugs, typically benzodiazepines or opioids, to induce a state of decreased consciousness and relaxation while maintaining the patient's ability to respond to verbal commands and physical stimulation. This procedure carries inherent risks, including respiratory depression, cardiovascular complications, and potential allergic reactions to the medications used. Due to the potential for adverse effects and the altered state of consciousness induced by moderate sedation, informed consent is necessary to ensure that patients understand the risks and benefits of the procedure before it is performed.

d. Collection of a blood specimen for ABGs: Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis involves the collection of a blood sample from an artery, typically the radial artery in the wrist, to assess the patient's acid-base balance, oxygenation status, and ventilation. While this procedure does involve puncturing the skin and accessing the arterial blood supply, it is considered a standard diagnostic test in many clinical settings. However, the invasiveness of the procedure and potential risks such as bleeding, hematoma formation, and arterial injury may necessitate informed consent in certain situations, especially if the patient has underlying coagulopathies or other risk factors that could increase the likelihood of complications.

The correct answer is Choice D: Review the client's request with the family.

Choice D rationale: Reviewing the client's request with the family respects the client's autonomy and the directives stated in their living will. It allows the nurse to communicate and clarify the client's wishes with the family, helping them understand the decisions made by the client when they were competent. This action promotes open communication and may facilitate resolution of the conflict.

Choice A rationale: Inserting the tube and beginning feedings per the family's request disregards the client's living will, which explicitly declines the use of artificial enteral nutrition as a life-sustaining measure. This action goes against the ethical principle of autonomy and could have legal implications.

Choice B rationale: While asking the provider to discuss the issue with the family could be a subsequent step, it is not the primary action to take in this situation. The nurse should first review the client's request with the family to emphasize the importance of the living will and facilitate understanding between the parties involved.

Choice C rationale: Reporting the dilemma to the facility's dietitian does not address the ethical and legal concerns at hand. The dietitian's role is to manage nutritional needs, not to resolve ethical dilemmas or interpret legal documents such as living wills. Involving the dietitian may not be helpful in addressing the conflict between the client's wishes and the family's request.