An advanced practice nurse wishes to initiate treatment with an antipsychotic medication which, although very likely to benefit the patient, in a small percentage of patients may cause a dangerous side effect. The nurse explains the purpose, expected benefits, and possible risks of the medication. The patient readily signs a form accepting the medication, stating, "These pills will poison the demons inside of me." Although he has been informed of the risk of side effects, he is unable to state what these are and simply reports that he "won't have side effects because I am iron and cannot be killed." Which of the following responses would be most appropriate under these circumstances?
1. Begin administration of the medications based on his signed permission, because he has
legally consented to treatment.
2. Petition the court to appoint a guardian to substitute for the patient's being unable to
comprehend the proposed treatment.
3. Administer the medications even though consent is unclear, because the patient is clearly
psychotic and in need of the medications.
4. Withhold the medication until the patient is able to identify the benefits and risks of both
consenting and refusing consent to the medications.
Answer: 2. Petition the court to appoint a guardian to substitute for the patient's being unable to
comprehend the proposed treatment.
You might also like to view...
It is important for the nurse to stay informed of the most current recommendations for immunizations. Which of the following sources is most accurate regarding immunization guidelines?
A) American Academy of Pediatrics B) American Academy of Family Physicians C) American Academy of Infectious Disease Physicians D) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The nurse reminds the unlicensed assistive personnel that a client who is an ovo-lacto vegetarian eats:
1. Plant foods only. 2. Dairy and plant foods only. 3. Eggs, chicken, and plant food. 4. Eggs, dairy, and plant foods.
The nurse notes that the patient's skin is scaly during a nutritional head-to-toe assessment. Which is the most likely reason for this occurrence?
1) Vitamin C deficiency 2) Protein deficiency 3) Zinc deficiency 4) Thiamin deficiency
You are the nurse working with a child whose grandparent died. When the child has completed the first three tasks of mourning according to Worden and is ready to work on the fourth task, you would most help him by:
a. keeping the child busy so he doesn't have time to think about his loss b. reminding the child that the grandparent is not returning to life c. keeping the child focused on the family members he has left in his life d. helping the child make a scrapbook or write a poem about the grandparent