The nurse administers the preoperative medication to the client 1 hour before elective surgery, and then discovers the preoperative consent is not signed. Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate?
1. Have the client sign the consent quickly, before the medication begins taking effect.
2. Have a family member or medical power of attorney sign the consent.
3. Send the client to the holding area without a signed consent.
4. Notify the health care provider that surgery will need to be canceled.
4
Rationale 1: The nurse cannot have the client sign the consent once the preoperative medication has been administered, because it affects the client's ability to reason.
Rationale 2: Emergency surgery, in some facilities, may be performed if a family member or medical power of attorney signs the consent when the client is unable to do so, but elective surgery requires the client's signature if she is capable of making a reasoned decision.
Rationale 3: The client has not consented to surgery and should not be sent to the holding area.
Rationale 4: The nurse will notify the health care provider, who will need to cancel surgery until the preoperative medication is excreted and no longer affecting the client's ability to make informed decisions, at which time the consent can be signed.
Global Rationale: The nurse will notify the health care provider, who will need to cancel surgery until the preoperative medication is excreted and no longer affecting the client's ability to make informed decisions, at which time the consent can be signed. The nurse cannot have the client sign the consent once the preoperative medication has been administered, because it affects the client's ability to reason. The client has not consented to surgery and should not be sent to the holding area. Emergency surgery, in some facilities, may be performed if a family member or medical power of attorney signs the consent when the client is unable to do so, but elective surgery requires the client's signature if she is capable of making a reasoned decision.
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