A fifteen-year-old has been injured during football practice and has been taken to the hospital via ambulance. Providers have been unable to speak to parents despite several attempts to contact them. The youth needs emergency surgery, and understands the risks and benefits of the surgery. Which action is most appropriate at this time?
Have the youth give assent, and proceed with surgery.
Attempt to contact another relative.
Give pain medications until consent can be obtained.
Wait for parents to obtain consent.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: This is the most appropriate action because it respects the youth's autonomy and maturity, and allows for timely and necessary intervention. Assent is the agreement of a minor to participate in a medical decision, and it is usually sufficient in emergency situations when parental consent is not available.
Choice B reason: This is not the most appropriate action because it may delay the surgery and put the youth at risk of further complications. Another relative may not have the legal authority to consent for the youth, and may not be reachable in time.
Choice C reason: This is not the most appropriate action because it does not address the underlying problem of the injury. Pain medications may provide temporary relief, but they may also mask the symptoms and interfere with the surgery.
Choice D reason: This is not the most appropriate action because it may jeopardize the youth's health and safety. Waiting for parents to obtain consent may result in irreversible damage or even death. The youth's best interest should be the priority in this case.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is not the correct answer because infant bones are not prone to fractures. They are more flexible and resilient than adult bones, and require more force to break.
Choice B reason: This is not the correct answer because the focus should not be only on the injury, but also on how it occurred. The nurse should assess the mechanism of injury and the history of the child and the family for any signs of abuse or neglect.
Choice C reason: This is the correct answer because inconsistencies in how injury occurred may indicate child maltreatment. The nurse should be alert for any discrepancies or changes in the story, or any explanations that do not match the type or severity of the injury.
Choice D reason: This is not the correct answer because parents don't necessarily forget details when they are under stress. They may be anxious or emotional, but they should still be able to provide a consistent and coherent account of what happened.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: A peak expiratory flow meter is a device that measures how fast the child can exhale air from the lungs. It can help monitor the severity of asthma and the effectiveness of treatment. It can also help identify triggers and prevent asthma attacks.
Choice B reason: A metered dose inhaler with spacer is a device that delivers medication to the lungs. It can help relieve or prevent asthma symptoms, but it does not measure how well the asthma is controlled.
Choice C reason: Pulse oximetry is a device that measures the oxygen saturation of the blood. It can help detect hypoxia, which is a complication of asthma, but it does not measure how well the asthma is controlled.
Choice D reason: Inhaled steroids are a type of medication that reduce inflammation in the airways. They can help prevent asthma attacks and improve lung function, but they do not measure how well the asthma is controlled.
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