If a patient states that he is having second thoughts and is not sure he wants to have the surgery, the nurse would

A. The opinion of a second surgeon is sought regarding the necessity of the surgery. This is an appropriate course of action when consent cannot be obtained from the patient or family, especially in emergency situations to ensure the necessity of surgery.

B. The surgeon will write a detailed note about the need for surgery and a registered nurse will then sign the consent. RNs do not have the legal authority to sign surgical consent forms, which should be signed by a legal guardian or the healthcare provider in emergencies when appropriate.

C. The hospital social worker can sign the permit. Social workers do not have the authority to sign consent forms. Consent must typically come from a legally authorized individual.

D. The hospital attorney must authorize the surgery and sign the consent form. The hospital attorney is not typically involved in emergency decision-making about surgery unless there are significant legal concerns, which is not the case in this scenario.

A. Ask his wife to speak to him to reassure him.
This option is not ideal because the nurse should address the patient's concerns directly. It is important to ensure the patient is making an informed decision and is emotionally supported, but the spouse should not be the first point of contact for reassurance in this case.

B. Assure him that everything will go well.
While it is important to reassure the patient, the nurse should not make promises about the outcome. Assuring the patient everything will go well could lead to unrealistic expectations and may not address the underlying concern.

C. Tear up the surgical consent he signed.
Tearing up the consent is not an appropriate action. The nurse should not act on the patient's uncertainty before consulting the surgeon. The patient has the right to withdraw consent, and this should be addressed properly through communication with the surgeon.

D. Notify the surgeon right away of the situation.
The nurse should immediately notify the surgeon about the patient's change of mind. The surgeon is responsible for providing further clarification and addressing any concerns before proceeding with surgery. The patient must be fully informed and comfortable with their decision.