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. 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 C
Explanation
A. While the nurse's notes may include observations about the client's condition, recording that an incident report was filed does not provide pertinent details regarding the client's care and is not appropriate.
B. Incident reports are confidential documents and should not be shared with the client's family, so providing a copy of the report is inappropriate.
C. Documenting the facts about the incident in the medical record is essential to provide a complete account of the client's care and any resulting changes or observations. This documentation is important for continuity of care and legal purposes.
D. Incident reports should not be placed in the medical record, as they are separate documents intended for internal review and quality assurance purposes.