A nurse overhears two assistive personnel (AP) in the cafeteria discussing a client's care during lunch. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. "The surgeon can obtain informed consent from the client's adult cousin."Informed consent must be obtained from a parent or legal guardian for a minor. An adult cousin does not have the legal authority to provide consent unless they are the legal guardian of the minor, which is not indicated in this scenario.

B. "The surgeon should delay surgery until he can obtain informed consent from a parent."Delaying surgery in an emergency situation could endanger the client's life or health. In such cases, waiting for parental consent is not advisable, and other legal mechanisms, such as implied consent, should be used to proceed with necessary treatment.

C. "The surgeon can proceed with the surgery by invoking implied consent."In emergency situations where the client is a minor and the parents or legal guardians are not available to provide consent, the principle of implied consent allows healthcare providers to perform life-saving procedures without explicit consent. The law recognizes that in emergencies, delaying treatment to obtain consent could result in harm, so the surgeon can proceed with the surgery.

D. "The client's pediatrician can obtain implied consent."The concept of implied consent is not something that can be "obtained" by another healthcare provider. It is a legal principle that allows healthcare providers to act in the best interest of the client during an emergency when consent cannot be obtained. The pediatrician does not have a role in obtaining or invoking implied consent in this context; it is the responsibility of the surgeon performing the emergency procedure.

A. A dietitian is typically involved in addressing nutritional needs and dietary concerns. While nutrition is important for overall health, it may not directly address the client's difficulty with fine motor skills.

B. A physical therapist is more focused on addressing gross motor skills, mobility, and physical function. While physical therapy may be beneficial for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, it may not specifically address fine motor skill difficulties.

C. A pharmacist is responsible for managing medications and providing information about medications. While medication management is crucial for clients with rheumatoid arthritis, a pharmacist is not the primary referral for addressing fine motor skills.

D. Occupational therapist is the most appropriate referral for a client with difficulty in fine motor skills. Occupational therapists specialize in helping individuals develop or regain the skills needed for daily living activities, including fine motor skills. They can provide strategies, exercises, and adaptive techniques to improve the client's ability to perform activities such as dressing, grooming, and other tasks requiring fine motor coordination.