A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client who is unconscious and requires emergency medical procedures. The nurse is unable to locate members of the client's family to obtain consent. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Contact the facility's ethics committee
Obtain consent from the client's employer
Limit care to comfort measures
Proceed with provision of medical care
The Correct Answer is D
Proceed with provision of medical care.
- A. Contact the facility's ethics committee: This is incorrect because it is not an urgent action and it does not address the client's immediate needs. The ethics committee can be consulted later if there are ethical dilemmas or conflicts regarding the client's care.
- B. Obtain consent from the client's employer: This is incorrect because it is not a valid source of consent. The employer has no legal or ethical authority to make decisions for the client, unless they are also a designated surrogate or proxy.
- C. Limit care to comfort measures: This is incorrect because it does not meet the standard of care for an emergency situation. The nurse has a duty to provide life-saving interventions for a client who is unconscious and requires emergency medical procedures, unless there is evidence of a valid advance directive that states otherwise.
- D. Proceed with provision of medical care: This is correct because it follows the principle of implied consent, which assumes that a reasonable person would consent to emergency treatment if they were able to do so. The nurse should document the circumstances and continue to search for family members or other sources of consent.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Providing postmortem care for a client who has recently died does not require immediate intervention by the charge nurse, as it is a standard nursing responsibility to provide postmortem care with dignity and respect to the deceased client. The AP can proceed with this task independently.
Choice B rationale:
Performing a simple dressing change on a client's foot is within the scope of practice for an assistive personnel (AP) and does not require immediate intervention by the charge nurse, assuming the AP is competent and trained to perform this task.
Choice C rationale:
Washing hands with alcohol-based hand rub after bathing a client who has Clostridium difficile is not sufficient. Alcohol is not effective against C. Difficile spores.
Choice D rationale:
Clean gloves are sufficient for this task, as they do provide adequate protection against the transmission of infections.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
"How does this make you feel?"
- A. "I'm sure your family does not want you to die." is not a therapeutic response, as it invalidates the client's feelings and imposes the nurse's own assumptions. This choice is incorrect.
- B. Why would you believe such things?" is not a therapeutic response, as it sounds judgmental and confrontational, which can increase the client's defensiveness and resistance. This choice is incorrect.
- C. "How does this make you feel?" is a therapeutic response, as it encourages the client to express and explore their emotions, which can help to build rapport and trust with the nurse. This choice is correct.
- D. "You should talk to your family about your feelings." is not a therapeutic response, as it implies that the client is responsible for resolving their own problems and that their family is willing and able to listen and support them, which may not be true. This choice is incorrect.
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