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.
Free Nursing Test Bank
- Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
- Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
- Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
- Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
- Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
- Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
- Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
- Free Community Health Quiz 8
- Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
- Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
View Related questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Activating the fire alarm is the immediate priority after ensuring the client's safety, as it alerts the entire facility to the potential danger and initiates the fire response protocol.
B. Closing the door to the client's room is important for containing the fire but is secondary to activating the alarm to ensure that emergency services are alerted.
C. Reporting the fire details to the facility emergency extension is necessary but should be done after the alarm has been activated to ensure that help is dispatched quickly.
D. Turning off electrical equipment may not be safe or possible in the event of a fire; the focus should be on evacuation and alerting emergency services.
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.