A client being prepared for an invasive procedure questions some of the terminology in the consent form. Which response should the nurse make?

Question

1. "Just sign the form, and I'll make sure your physician talks to you before he begins the procedure."
2. "I'll explain whatever you don't understand."
3. "You should have asked your physician when he was in here."
4. "I'll call your physician back in the room to answer your questions."

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: If the client has questions, he should not sign the form. These questions require the physician's attention before the consent is signed.
Rationale 2: If the client has questions, he should not sign the form, and it is not the nurse's responsibility to answer the questions.
Rationale 3: Telling the client what he "should have" done is demeaning and not an appropriate therapeutic response.
Rationale 4: Obtaining informed consent for specific medical treatment is the responsibility of the person who is going to perform the procedure, in this case the physician. Informed consent suggests that the client has been given complete information, including benefits, risks, and alternatives if the treatment is not given. An element of informed consent is that the client must be given enough information to be the ultimate decision maker. If not, it is the physician's responsibility to make sure the client's understanding is clear. It is important that the person obtaining the consent (the physician in this case) answer the client's questions.