While preparing a client for surgery, the nurse marks the arm that is to be amputated and participates in a “time-out” procedure before the surgery begins.
Which sentinel event is this action intended to prevent?

The nurse has a duty to protect the patient’s rights and well-being, and to report any signs of abuse or neglect. Financial abuse is defined as someone illegally or improperly using an elder’s money or belongings for their own personal use. It is a common form of elder abuse and can have serious consequences for the victim’s physical and mental health.

The nurse should not assume that the son has the patient’s best interest in mind (choice A), as this may not be the case.

The nurse should not ignore the situation or dismiss it as a non-clinical issue (choice B), as this would violate the nurse’s ethical and legal obligations. The nurse should not notify the primary care physician that the patient can no longer care for himself (choice C), as this may not be true and may infringe on the patient’s autonomy and dignity.

The nurse should respect the patient’s wishes and help him to exercise his rights and choices.

The nurse should also provide support and resources to the patient, such as counselling, legal aid, or social services.

This demonstrates advocacy for client rights because it respects the client’s autonomy, dignity, and preferences. It also helps the client to make informed decisions about their own health.

Choice B is wrong because telling the client that refusal of the medication is considered noncompliance is coercive and violates the client’s right to refuse treatment.

It also does not address the client’s reasons for refusing the medication or provide any information or education.

Choice C is wrong because informing the client that the medication is the same as taken at home is not enough to ensure that the client understands the purpose, benefits, and risks of the medication.

It also does not verify that the client is taking the medication correctly at home or that there are no changes in the dosage or frequency.

Choice D is wrong because insisting the client takes the prescribed medications is also coercive and violates the client’s right to refuse treatment.

It also does not respect the client’s autonomy, dignity, and preferences.

It may also cause harm to the client if they have an allergy, intolerance, or contraindication to the medication.

Advocacy for nursing stems from a philosophy of nursing in which nursing practice is the support of an individual to promote his or her own well-being, as understood by that individual. It is an ethic of practice that requires nurses to protect and uphold their patients’ rights, values, and interests.