A nurse is caring for a 16-year-old client who was in a motor-vehicle crash and needs surgical intervention immediately. The staff cannot reach either of the client's parents. The nurse should identify that which of the following is true about obtaining consent?
The surgeon should delay surgery until he can obtain informed consent from a parent.
The client's pediatrician can obtain implied consent.
The surgeon can proceed with the surgery by invoking implied consent.
The surgeon can obtain informed consent from the client's adult cousin.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Delaying surgery in a life-threatening situation could endanger the client, so waiting for parental consent is not required under emergency circumstances.
B. The pediatrician does not have the authority to provide implied consent; this legal principle applies directly to the care team in emergency situations.
C. In emergency situations where a minor requires immediate, life-saving treatment and a parent or legal guardian is not available, implied consent allows the surgeon to proceed with necessary interventions to prevent harm.
D. An adult cousin does not have legal authority to provide consent for a minor’s treatment unless specifically designated as a legal guardian.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Reporting the concern to the charge nurse is the appropriate action, as it ensures that the issue is addressed through proper channels. The charge nurse can investigate and determine if further action is needed, such as reviewing the medication administration process.
B. Questioning the nurse directly could lead to confrontations and is not the correct procedure for handling potential discrepancies in medication administration.
C. Notifying the pharmacy is unnecessary at this point because the issue concerns administration rather than medication supply or errors with the prescription.
D. While documenting the client’s report is important, simply documenting the client’s claim without notifying the charge nurse does not fully address the concern.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. While paranoia in a client with dementia can be concerning, it is not immediately life-threatening and may require additional support or medication adjustments.
B. Itching after receiving a dose of cefaclor may indicate an allergic reaction, but further assessment would be needed to determine the severity.
C. A weight gain of 1 kg (2.2 lb) in a client with heart failure should be monitored, but it is not an immediate concern unless accompanied by other symptoms of fluid overload.
D. The progression of a pressure ulcer from stage II to stage III indicates a worsening condition that requires urgent intervention to prevent further complications and potential infection, making it the highest priority to report.