A nurse in the emergency department admits a client who is unconscious and has extensive internal injuries that require emergency surgery. None of the client's family members are able to be reached. The nurse should recognize that emergency surgery can be performed under which of the following legal guidelines?
Living will
Good Samaritan Act
Joint liability
Implied consent
The Correct Answer is D
Rationale:
A. A living will provides instructions for end-of-life care but does not authorize emergency surgical procedures.
B. The Good Samaritan Act protects healthcare providers who give emergency care outside a healthcare setting, not in-hospital surgical consent.
C. Joint liability refers to shared legal responsibility and is not related to consent for treatment.
D. Implied consent allows healthcare providers to perform emergency procedures when a client is unconscious or unable to give consent, and no legal representative is available, making it the correct legal guideline in this scenario.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Shortness of breath with left neck and shoulder pain may indicate cardiac ischemia and is urgent, but it is not as immediately life-threatening as uncontrolled external bleeding.
B. A raised red skin rash is uncomfortable and may indicate allergy or infection, but it is not life-threatening at this moment.
C. Flank pain with diaphoresis suggests possible renal calculi or another serious condition, but it does not take priority over airway, breathing, or circulation compromise.
D. Active bleeding from the groin poses an immediate threat to circulation and survival, making this client the highest priority based on the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) framework.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Rationale:
A. Asking the son to leave allows the nurse to interview and assess the client privately. This ensures the client can speak freely about possible abuse without fear of intimidation.
B. Asking about injuries in the presence of the possible abuser may prevent the client from disclosing abuse and could place the client at further risk.
C. An incident report is for internal facility events (e.g., falls, medication errors), not for suspected abuse. Abuse must be reported to the appropriate authorities, not just documented internally.
D. Discharging the client without investigation puts the client at continued risk of harm and fails to meet the nurse’s legal obligation to protect vulnerable populations.
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