The preoperative admitting nurse witnessed a client sign an operative consent form. The nurse then cosigned the same document as a witness. The client suffered an injury during surgery and names the nurse in the suit because the nurse witnessed the consent form. What is the most likely outcome?.
The nurse is likely not liable because surgery is beyond the nurse's scope of practice.
The nurse is not likely liable because the signature only specifies that the nurse witnessed the client signing the consent form.
The nurse may be liable because cosigning the consent form makes the nurse an equal member of the surgical team.
The nurse is liable because cosigning the consent form confirms that the client fully understood the risks of surgery
The Correct Answer is B
A. While it’s true that surgery itself is beyond the nurse's scope of practice, liability can still arise from the actions taken in relation to the consent process. The issue is not about the surgery itself but about the responsibility associated with witnessing the consent.
B. The nurse’s role in this context is to witness the client’s signature, not to guarantee the client’s understanding of the procedure or the risks involved. The witness signature generally indicates that the nurse observed the client signing the document but does not imply that the nurse ensured the client understood all aspects of the surgery.
C. Cosigning a consent form does not make the nurse an equal member of the surgical team in terms of decision-making or responsibilities. The nurse's role as a witness is limited to observing the signing process.
D. The nurse’s signature does not imply that they confirmed the client's understanding of the risks involved. The responsibility for explaining the risks and ensuring the client’s understanding typically falls to the physician or surgeon.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. While it’s important to consider the comfort and competency of the LPNs, this approach alone does not ensure that the tasks delegated are within their legal scope of practice. It’s essential for the RN to also verify that the tasks align with the LPN’s training and legal scope of practice.
B. LPNs have a different scope of practice compared to nursing assistive personnel (NAP). They are trained to perform more complex tasks and provide a higher level of care than NAPs. Delegating the same tasks would not take advantage of the LPN's training and could lead to issues related to patient safety and quality of care.
C. While consulting a decision tree can be a useful tool for delegating tasks to NAPs, it does not apply to LPNs. LPNs have a different scope of practice and require a different framework for delegation, as they can perform nursing tasks that are not within the NAP scope.
D. This is the most appropriate action for the RN. Understanding the legal scope of practice for LPNs in their specific jurisdiction is crucial for safe and effective delegation. It ensures that the RN delegates tasks that LPNs are qualified to perform, thereby promoting patient safety and adhering to legal standards.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Collaboration between nurses at different levels is essential for improving client outcomes. By working together, nurses can share their expertise and ensure that clients receive the best possible care.
B. By increasing delegation between nurses at different levels, RNs can focus on high-risk tasks that require their expertise, while LPNs can take on more routine tasks. This can help to improve efficiency and reduce the workload of RNs, leading to better client outcomes.
C. LPNs can safely and effectively perform many low-risk tasks, such as monitoring vital signs and administering medications. Decreasing their workload for these tasks would not necessarily improve client outcomes.
D. RNs should not be overburdened with high-risk tasks. By delegating appropriate tasks to LPNs, RNs can focus on high-risk tasks that require their expertise and ensure that clients receive the best possible care.
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