A hospice nurse is caring for a client who has a terminal illness and reports severe pain. After the nurse administers the prescribed opioid and benzodiazepine, the client becomes somnolent and difficult to arouse. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

a. Providing a 10-minute rest period prior to meals:

This action is not specifically related to feeding technique for clients with dysphagia. While providing a rest period before meals may be beneficial for some clients, especially those who experience fatigue or dyspnea, it is not a standard technique for managing dysphagia during mealtime.

b. Elevating the head of the client’s bed to 30 degrees during mealtime:

The head of the bed should be elevated to at least 45–90 degrees during meals to minimize the risk of aspiration. A 30-degree elevation is insufficient for safe swallowing and increases the likelihood of aspiration.

c. Instructing the client to place her chin toward her chest when swallowing:

This technique, known as the chin-tuck maneuver, helps reduce the risk of aspiration in clients with dysphagia by improving airway protection and directing food and liquid down the esophagus instead of the trachea. It is a widely recommended method to promote safe swallowing.

d. Withholding fluids until the end of the meal:

Fluids should not be withheld until the end of the meal as they are often necessary to help the client swallow food safely and prevent choking. Thickened fluids may be prescribed for clients with dysphagia to aid in safe swallowing.

a. Transport the client to the operating room without verifying informed consent:

This option suggests an urgent response, prioritizing the immediate need for surgery over the formal process of obtaining informed consent. In certain emergency situations, such as when a patient's life or health is in imminent danger and obtaining consent is not feasible, healthcare providers may proceed with treatment or surgery to prevent further harm or loss of life. However, this approach should be guided by established protocols, legal considerations, and the principle of providing the best possible care for the patient.

b. Delay the surgery until the nurse can obtain informed consent:

This option advocates for ensuring that the patient's autonomy and rights are respected by obtaining informed consent before proceeding with surgery. While obtaining consent is essential, delaying surgery may not always be feasible or advisable in emergency situations where prompt intervention is necessary to prevent deterioration of the patient's condition. However, if circumstances allow, making efforts to obtain informed consent is ethically and legally preferable.

c. Obtain telephone consent from the facility administrator before the surgery:

This option proposes seeking consent from a designated authority within the healthcare facility, such as a facility administrator, via telephone. While this approach may be practical in some cases, it may not always be sufficient to ensure that the patient's rights are fully respected, particularly if the administrator does not have the legal authority to provide consent on behalf of the patient. In emergency situations, obtaining consent from a legally authorized representative of the patient, if available, is generally preferred.

d. Ask the anesthesiologist to sign the consent:

This option involves delegating the responsibility of signing the consent form to another member of the healthcare team, in this case, the anesthesiologist. However, consent for surgery should ideally be obtained directly from the patient or their legally authorized representative, as they are the ones who have the right to make decisions about their medical care. Relying on another healthcare provider to sign the consent form may not adequately protect the patient's autonomy and legal rights.