A nurse in the emergency department is preparing to care for a client who arrived via ambulance. The client is disoriented and has a cardiac arrhythmia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Notify risk management before initiating treatment.
Proceed with treatment without obtaining written consent.
Contact the client's next of kin to obtain consent for treatment.
Have the client sign a consent for treatment.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Notifying risk management before initiating treatment is not necessary in this emergent situation; patient care should take precedence.
B. In emergent situations where a patient lacks decision-making capacity and requires
immediate treatment to prevent harm, consent for treatment can be assumed based on the principle of implied consent.
C. Contacting the client's next of kin for consent might delay necessary treatment for the disoriented and arrhythmic client, which could be harmful.
D. Having the client sign a consent for treatment might not be feasible or appropriate if the client is disoriented and lacks decision-making capacity in an emergency situation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. A client receiving an operation on the wrong side of the body is a serious medical error but might not inherently involve an ethical dilemma unless the decision-making process and accountability are in question.
B. A parent wanting a 14-year-old adolescent to receive radiation treatment against his will involves conflicting values of autonomy, beneficence, and parental rights,
constituting an ethical dilemma.
C. A visitor experiencing a minor burn is an incident but doesn't inherently pose an ethical dilemma.
D. A nurse witnessing another nurse administering an incorrect medication is a patient safety issue but might not inherently involve an ethical dilemma unless there are questions about reporting or intervening in the situation.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Contacting the nurse manager allows for immediate notification of the incident to someone in authority who can initiate appropriate follow-up and investigation.
B. Involving risk management might be necessary but should come after informing the immediate supervisor or manager.
C. Reassuring the client, while important, should not be the primary action; addressing the issue and initiating appropriate steps should take precedence.
D. Documenting the incident report in the client's chart is important but should follow the immediate notification of the supervisor or manager.
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