What meal option should a nurse choose for a client with fluid volume excess who has been placed on a low-sodium diet?

In this scenario, the lack of documentation regarding the explanation of the benefits and risks of the procedure in the client's medical record could be interpreted as a failure to follow the standard of care. Option C is the most appropriate choice for the grounds on which the family might sue:

C. Failure to follow the standard of care:

Healthcare providers are expected to adhere to a standard of care, which includes adequately informing patients or their legal guardians about the benefits, risks, and alternatives of medical procedures. Failure to document informed consent discussions and obtain signed consent forms may be considered a breach of the standard of care. Without proper documentation, it becomes challenging to prove that the healthcare providers fulfilled their duty to obtain informed consent and adequately inform the patient or legal guardian about the procedure's risks and benefits. The absence of documentation may suggest negligence or a lack of thoroughness in the healthcare provider's practice, which could serve as grounds for a lawsuit.

A. Battery:

Battery refers to the intentional and unauthorized touching of another person, which includes performing a medical procedure without obtaining informed consent. While the lack of documentation may suggest a failure to obtain proper consent, it does not necessarily imply intentional wrongdoing or a deliberate act of touching without consent (battery).

B. Injury:

While the client may have experienced an injury if complications arose from the procedure, the focus of the scenario is on the absence of documentation regarding informed consent rather than the occurrence of an injury itself. The grounds for a lawsuit are related to the failure to follow the standard of care in obtaining informed consent rather than the presence of an injury.

D. Slander:

Slander involves making false and damaging statements about someone that harm their reputation. The lack of documentation regarding informed consent does not relate to slander, as it does not involve making false statements but rather the failure to document discussions and obtain consent properly.

A. Support both the client and the family: Nurses have an obligation to support both the client and their family when confronted with an ethical dilemma. This support may involve providing information, facilitating communication, and ensuring that the client's and family's concerns are addressed appropriately.

B. Inform the family and client of nurse's personal beliefs: While nurses may have personal beliefs, it is not ethically appropriate to impose these beliefs on clients or their families. Nurses should maintain professional boundaries and provide care that respects the client's autonomy and values without imposing their own beliefs.

C. Carry out the hospital's policies: Nurses are expected to adhere to the policies and procedures of the healthcare facility where they work. However, if a policy conflicts with ethical principles or legal obligations, nurses should advocate for changes to the policy or escalate the issue through appropriate channels.

D. Refer the issue to the physician since this is not a nurse's responsibility: Nurses have a professional responsibility to address ethical issues within their scope of practice. While collaboration with other healthcare team members, including physicians, is important, nurses should not automatically defer ethical issues to physicians without attempting to address them within their own capacity.

E. Maximize the client's well-being: One of the primary obligations of nurses in ethical dilemmas is to maximize the client's well-being. This includes advocating for the client's rights, providing compassionate care, and promoting the client's best interests while respecting their autonomy and preferences.