Author Question: A client who sustained a traumatic brain injury several weeks ago is in a chronic vegetative state ... (Read 75 times)

JGIBBSON · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A client who sustained a traumatic brain injury several weeks ago is in a chronic vegetative state and is no longer competent to make healthcare decisions. Who should the nurse expect to make care decisions for this client?

A) The physician
B) The client's spouse
C) Social services
D) The agent named in the durable power of attorney

Question 2

A client in the intensive care unit is combative and pulling at the endotracheal tube, which must remain in place.

After applying soft hand restraints to protect the client's airway, which action should the nurse take next?
A) Notify the primary healthcare provider.
B) Notify the family of the need for restraints.
C) Reassess the need for the restraints in 8 hours.
D) Document the application of restraints in the chart.

Jmfn03 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: D

The nurse, recognizing that the client is no longer competent, should follow whatever hospital policy is in place for contacting the agent named in a durable power of attorney for health care. The physician is not the appropriate individual to make decisions for the client. Social services may be the department that would contact the agent of a durable power of attorney, but social services would not be that power. In the case of an incompetent client, the spouse would be the agent of the durable power of attorney only if the court appointed the spouse.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: A

According to the law, the primary healthcare provider must see the client and write a prescription for restraints within 1 hour of application. The nurse would apply the restraints to protect the airway and then immediately notify the primary healthcare provider. The nurse would notify the family if present, but that is not the legal priority. The nurse would document the use of restraints as soon as possible after notifying the primary healthcare provider. Most agencies require reassessment of need every 1-2 hours.