An older client is diagnosed with an intestinal obstruction and needs immediate surgery. The client's next of kin is a granddaughter who lives in a neighboring community. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
1. Obtain consent from the client for the surgery.
2. Perform the surgery since it is emergent, consent is not necessary.
3. Delay the surgery until the client's granddaughter can be contacted.
4. Obtain a consult from mental health to ensure the client's competence.
1. Obtain consent from the client for the surgery.
Explanation: 1. Unless there has been some indication of a loss of competence or a legal document exists that establishes the power of attorney, the client has the responsibility to sign the consent form for the surgery.
2. Even though the surgery is emergent, consent is necessary, unless the client is unconscious and no other family is around to give consent, then the physician can assume implied consent to save the client's life if there is no DNR in place.
3. The surgery should not be delayed if it is emergent.
4. Ensuring a client's competence just because they are old is unnecessary and can be insulting to the client. This is not a routine standard of care, and there is no indication in the stem that the client is not capable of signing a consent form.
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