A client who is unconscious and has extensive internal injuries arrives via ambulance to the emergency department. The staff cannot reach the client's family. Which of the following permits the staff to proceed with emergency surgery?
Good Samaritan Act
Implied consent
Living will
Nonmaleficence
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: This is not the correct choice because the Good Samaritan Act is a law that protects health care providers and other individuals from legal liability when they provide emergency care to someone who is injured or ill outside of a health care facility. The act does not apply to the staff in the emergency department, who are expected to follow the standards of care and obtain consent for treatment.
Choice B reason: This is the correct choice because implied consent is a type of consent that is assumed when a client is unable to give verbal or written consent due to their condition, and the treatment is necessary to save their life or prevent further harm. The staff can proceed with emergency surgery based on implied consent, as the client is unconscious and has extensive internal injuries that require immediate intervention.
Choice C reason: This is not the correct choice because a living will is a document that expresses a client's wishes regarding their end-of-life care, such as whether they want to receive life-sustaining treatments or not. A living will does not apply to the client in this scenario, who is not terminally ill or in a persistent vegetative state, and who may recover from their injuries with surgery.
Choice D reason: This is not the correct choice because nonmaleficence is an ethical principle that means to do no harm or prevent harm to the client. Nonmaleficence does not permit the staff to proceed with emergency surgery, as it does not override the need for consent. The staff should also consider the principle of beneficence, which means to do good or promote the well-being of the client.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is the correct choice because this situation is the most urgent and requires immediate action. The charge nurse should prioritize the new admission and assign a staff nurse to receive the report and prepare the room for the client. The charge nurse should also ensure that the client's needs are met and that the admission process is smooth and efficient.
Choice B reason: This is not the correct choice because this situation is not as urgent as the new admission and can be addressed later. The charge nurse should plan the staffing for the shift and arrange for replacements or reassignments if necessary. The charge nurse should also communicate with the staff members who called in and document their reasons for absence.
Choice C reason: This is not the correct choice because this situation is not as urgent as the new admission and can be addressed later. The charge nurse should coordinate with the transport department and the occupational therapy department to reschedule the client's appointment or find an alternative way to transport the client. The charge nurse should also inform the client and the staff nurse about the change and apologize for any inconvenience.
Choice D reason: This is not the correct choice because this situation is not as urgent as the new admission and can be addressed later. The charge nurse should review the incident report and follow up with the nurse who wrote it and the client who was involved. The charge nurse should also implement corrective actions and preventive measures to avoid similar errors in the future.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is not the correct choice because witnessing the client signing the consent form is not a valid option. The client is a minor and cannot legally consent to their own treatment without the permission of their guardian, unless they are emancipated, married, or pregnant.
Choice B reason: This is not the correct choice because asking the adult neighbor to sign the consent form is not a valid option. The adult neighbor is not a legal guardian or a close relative of the client and has no authority to consent to the client's treatment.
Choice C reason: This is not the correct choice because obtaining consent from the hospital administrator is not a valid option. The hospital administrator is not a medical professional or a legal representative of the client and has no authority to consent to the client's treatment.
Choice D reason: This is the correct choice because attempting to notify the client's guardian to obtain consent is the best option. The client's guardian is the person who has the legal right and responsibility to make decisions for the client's health care. The nurse should try to contact the guardian by phone or other means and obtain verbal or written consent for the emergency surgery. If the guardian cannot be reached, the nurse should follow the facility's policy and procedure for obtaining consent in emergency situations.
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