You are the nurse caring for an unconscious trauma victim who needs emergency surgery. The patient is a 55-year-old male patient with two adult children
He is legally divorced and is planning to be married in 3 days. His parents are at the hospital with the other family members. The physician has explained the need for surgery, the procedure to be done, and the risks to the children, the parents, and the fiancé. Who would you ask to sign the surgery consent form?
A) The fiancé
B) The oldest child
C) The youngest child
D) The patient's father
Ans: B
Feedback: The patient personally signs the consent if of legal age and mentally capable. Permission is otherwise obtained from a surrogate, who most often is a responsible family member (preferably next of kin) or legal guardian. In this instance, the oldest child would be the appropriate person to ask to sign the consent form as he is the closest relative at the hospital. Option A is incorrect; the fiancé is not legally related to him as the marriage has not yet taken place. Option D is incorrect; the father would only be asked to sign the consent if no children were present to sign. Option C is incorrect; the youngest child would only be considered next of kin if the older sibling was not present and able to sign the consent.
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