Which patient would the nurse consider to be competent to give informed consent?
a. A 27-year-old unconscious patient
b. A 16-year-old emancipated minor
c. A 43-year-old patient who is drunk
d. A 33-year-old patient who has been de-clared legally incompetent
B
Even though an emancipated minor has not achieved the legal age of consent, he or she may give consent for procedures and treatment. If a patient is unconscious, you need to obtain consent from a person legally authorized to give consent on his or her behalf. A patient who is legally incompetent needs to have the consent of a legal guardian, which is determined through a legal proceeding. A person who is drunk cannot fully understand the procedure and cannot sign the consent form.
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