Author Question: A nurse is caring for an older adult with a mental illness who will be going to surgery for ... (Read 83 times)

bobbie · **on:** Jul 19, 2018

A nurse is caring for an older adult with a mental illness who will be going to surgery for placement of a non-emergent pacemaker in the morning. The patient has been deemed incompetent by a court of law.

The nurse understands that which individual will need to sign the patient's surgical consent?
1. Spouse
2. Guardian
3. Oldest child
4. Hospital administrator

Question 2

The nurse manager wants to create an empowered workplace for his staff. Which activities would be most helpful in accomplishing this?

1. Keeping bad news about an upcoming layoff from staff members to avoid upsetting them
2. Avoiding giving negative feedback to employees so that they do not become discouraged
3. Providing a loosely structured orientation process so that nurses can develop innovative behaviors
4. Teaching a class on the neurobiological reactions that lead to burnout and reinforcing healthy coping skills.

wfdfwc23 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 19, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: 2
Explanation: Competency is a legal issue. Patients who are deemed incompetent by law are appointed a conservator or guardian, and any consent to procedures must be approved by that individual. If it was an emergent procedure, informed consent could be waived as long as standard of care was followed appropriately. In the case of an incapacitated patient (as opposed to an incompetent one), next of kin may be able to provide consent depending on state law. Nurses should be familiar with the laws in their own states.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: 4
Explanation: Providing education to staff and modeling coping skills is empowering. Not sharing information with staff, avoiding feedback (even if negative), and failing to provide a strong, evidence-based orientation will decrease the likelihood of fostering a healthy, empowered workplace.