A nurse is caring for a client who is in a coma and is scheduled for a surgical procedure.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Send the unsigned informed consent form to the facility’s risk manager.
Ensure that the client’s family supports the provider’s decision for surgery.
Determine if the procedure is medically necessary for the client.
Determine if the client’s health care surrogate is aware of the risks and benefits of the procedure.
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The Correct Answer is D
The correct answer is choice D. The nurse should determine if the client’s health care surrogate is aware of the risks and benefits of the procedure. A health care surrogate is a person who is authorized to make health care decisions for a client who is unable to do so. The nurse has a legal and ethical responsibility to ensure that the client’s surrogate has given informed consent for the surgery, which means that they have received adequate information about the procedure, its purpose, its risks, its benefits, and its alternatives.
Choice A is wrong because sending the unsigned informed consent form to the facility’s risk manager does not ensure that the client’s surrogate has given informed consent. The risk manager is not involved in the consent process and cannot authorize the surgery without the surrogate’s consent.
Choice B is wrong because ensuring that the client’s family supports the provider’s decision for surgery is not the same as obtaining informed consent from the surrogate.
The family may have different opinions or preferences than the surrogate, and the surrogate may not agree with the provider’s decision. The nurse should respect the surrogate’s autonomy and authority to make decisions for the client.
Choice C is wrong because determining if the procedure is medically necessary for the client is not the nurse’s role.
The provider is responsible for determining the medical necessity of the surgery and explaining it to the surrogate. The nurse should not question or interfere with the provider’s judgment unless there is evidence of negligence or malpractice.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice D. Sit at or below the client’s eye level during feedings.
This action helps the client feel more comfortable and less intimidated by the nurse. It also allows the nurse to observe the client’s swallowing and signs of aspiration more easily.
Choice A is wrong because talking with the client during her feeding can distract her from swallowing properly and increase the risk of aspiration.
The nurse should encourage the client to focus on eating and avoid conversation until the feeding is over.
Choice B is wrong because discouraging the client from coughing during feedings can prevent her from clearing her airway and expelling any food particles that might have entered the trachea.
The nurse should monitor the client for coughing, choking, or changes in voice quality, which are indicators of aspiration.
Choice C is wrong because instructing the client to lift her chin when swallowing can actually make swallowing more difficult and increase the risk of aspiration.
The nurse should instruct the client to tuck her chin when swallowing, which helps close off the trachea and direct food into the esophagus.
Correct Answer is ["B","D","E","H"]
Explanation
• B: Heart rate 99/min. This is a finding that requires immediate follow-up because it is above the normal range for a 16-year-old client, which is 60 to 100 beats per minute. A high heart rate could indicate anxiety, stress, pain, infection or other conditions that need to be addressed.
• D: Client experiences nightmares. This is a finding that requires immediate follow-up because it could indicate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is a mental health condition that can develop after witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event. PTSD can cause distressing symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, avoidance, negative mood and hyperarousal. PTSD can interfere with the client’s daily functioning and well-being and requires professional treatment.
• E: Witnessing their family’s death. This is a finding that requires immediate follow-up because it is the most likely cause of the client’s PTSD symptoms and emotional distress. Witnessing the death of one’s family members is a devastating and traumatic experience that can have lasting effects on the client’s mental health. The client may benefit from grief counseling, trauma-focused therapy, medication or other interventions to help them cope with their loss and trauma.
• H: Smoking marijuana to clear their mind. This is a finding that requires immediate follow-up because it indicates that the client is using an illicit substance to self-medicate their emotional pain. Smoking marijuana can have negative effects on the client’s physical and mental health, such as impairing their memory, cognition, judgment, coordination and motivation. It can also increase the risk of addiction, dependence and withdrawal symptoms. The client may need substance abuse counseling, education, referral or other services to help them quit smoking marijuana and find healthier ways to cope with their feelings.
The other findings do not require immediate follow-up for the following reasons:
• A: BP 122/80 mmHg. This is not a finding that requires immediate follow-up because it is within the normal range for a 16-year-old client, which is 110 to 120/70 to 80 mmHg. A normal blood pressure indicates that the client’s cardiovascular system is functioning well and there are no signs of hypertension or hypotension.
• C: Startles easy during thunderstorm. This is not a finding that requires immediate follow-up because it is a normal reaction to a loud noise or a frightening stimulus. The client admits that they have always been afraid of thunderstorms, which suggests that this is not a new or unusual behavior for them. However, the nurse may want to monitor the client’s anxiety level and provide reassurance and comfort during thunderstorms.
• F: Caregiver reporting client acting differently than usual. This is not a finding that requires immediate follow-up because it is a vague and subjective statement that does not specify how the client is acting differently or what changes have occurred in their behavior. The nurse may want to ask the caregiver for more details and examples of how the client has changed since the traumatic event and assess whether these changes are normal or concerning.
• G: Attends school regularly. This is not a finding that requires immediate follow-up because it indicates that the client is maintaining their academic performance and social interactions despite their trauma and grief. Attending school regularly can provide the client with a sense of routine, structure, support and achievement that can help them cope with their situation. However, the nurse may want to check with the client’s teachers and peers to see if they have noticed any changes in the client’s mood, behavior or participation at school.
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