A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for an invasive procedure that requires consent. When the nurse arrives at the bedside to obtain the client's signature they find that the client is asleep after receiving a sedative. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Send the client for the test with the unsigned form.
Wake the client and ask them to sign the form.
Obtain consent from a family member.
Inform the charge nurse.
The Correct Answer is D
A) Send the client for the test with the unsigned form:
This option is not appropriate because performing an invasive procedure without obtaining informed consent from the client violates ethical and legal principles. Proceeding without proper consent could lead to legal and ethical repercussions, and it is not considered a safe or acceptable practice.
B) Wake the client and ask them to sign the form:
Waking the client who has received a sedative to obtain their signature on the consent form is not advisable. The client may still be under the influence of the sedative, which could impair their ability to understand the information provided and make an informed decision. Additionally, obtaining consent in this manner may not be legally valid and could compromise the client's autonomy and rights.
C) Obtain consent from a family member:
While obtaining consent from a family member might seem like a reasonable option, it is not appropriate in this scenario without clear documentation of the client's inability to provide consent. Consent for medical procedures should ideally be obtained directly from the competent adult client unless they are incapacitated or unable to make decisions. In this case, the client is asleep due to the sedative, but there is no indication that they are incapable of providing consent. Therefore, relying on a family member's consent without attempting to obtain it from the client first may not be ethically or legally justified.
D) Inform the charge nurse:
This is the most appropriate action to take initially. Informing the charge nurse allows for consultation and guidance on how to proceed in this situation. The charge nurse may advise on the appropriate steps to follow, such as contacting the provider or waiting for the client to regain consciousness to obtain informed consent. It ensures that the situation is addressed promptly and in accordance with institutional policies and ethical standards.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Vital signs flow sheet:
While vital signs are essential for assessing the client's health status, the home health agency typically focuses on the client's ongoing care needs rather than retrospective data such as vital sign trends.
B) Nursing admission assessment:
The nursing admission assessment provides valuable information about the client's initial condition upon admission to the acute care facility. However, the home health agency primarily requires information relevant to the client's current health status and ongoing care needs.
C) Current medications:
Providing the home health agency with a list of the client's current medications is essential for continuity of care. It allows the home health agency to ensure that the client receives the appropriate medications and dosages after discharge. This information helps prevent medication errors, adverse drug interactions, and omissions in the client's care plan. Additionally, the home health agency can use the medication list to reconcile medications and update the client's medication regimen as needed.
D) Nurses' notes:
While nurses' notes contain valuable information about the client's care during their stay in the acute care facility, they may not be immediately relevant to the home health agency's provision of care in the community setting. The focus of the home health agency is typically on the client's current status and needs rather than historical documentation.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) Contact the nurse from the previous shift to report the doubled dose:
While it may be appropriate to communicate with the nurse from the previous shift to gather information about the medication administration, contacting them solely to report the doubled dose may not be the most effective action. The priority is to ensure appropriate documentation of the incident and take necessary steps to address it.
B) Document the doubled dose in the client's medical record:
Documenting the doubled dose in the client's medical record is essential for accurate and transparent documentation of the incident. This documentation should include details such as the medication, dosage, time of administration, and any actions taken in response to the error. It ensures that all members of the healthcare team are aware of what occurred and facilitates appropriate follow-up and monitoring.
C) Place a copy of the incident report in the client's record:
While completing an incident report is necessary to formally document the medication error and initiate an investigation, simply placing a copy of the report in the client's record may not be sufficient. The incident report typically serves as an internal document used for quality improvement purposes and may not be part of the client's official medical record.
D) Report the incident to the manager of the pharmacy:
Reporting the incident to the manager of the pharmacy may be appropriate for addressing potential medication dispensing errors or system issues but may not be the immediate action required when a medication error occurs at the administration stage. The first priority is to ensure accurate documentation of the error in the client's medical record.
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