The nurse is to obtain an informed consent for a patient before ...

[809779]

The nurse is to obtain an informed consent for a patient before surgery is performed. The nurse recognizes that which of the following statements is true?
 
  a. Informed consent is required by law to protect the surgeon in case of an adverse outcome.
  b. Only the patient can sign a surgical consent.
  c. The nurse's legal responsibility is to ensure that the patient understands the information presented.
  d. The surgeon should give the patient information about the surgery.

Question 2

The nurse is performing an initial assessment of a patient with a chest tube placed in the eighth intercostal space. Which of the following findings would the nurse need to assess further? (Select all that apply.)
 
  a. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
  b. Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber
  c. The presence of subcutaneous emphysema
  d. Complaints of pain at the insertion site
  e. Serous drainage on the chest tube dressing the size of a bean

[olderstudent]

Answer to Question 1

D
The surgeon should give the patient information about the extent and type of surgery, alternative therapies, usual risks and benefits, and consequences of not having surgery in a nonthreatening manner, as outlined in The Patient Care Partnership developed by the American Hospital Association (AHA). Informed consent is required by law to help protect patients' rights, their autonomy, and their privacy. The patient or the patient's legal guardian must sign a surgical consent form that includes this information. If the patient's cultural practices include male dominance, the husband, father, or oldest brother of a female patient also may need to sign the consent form. It is the nurse's ethical (not legal) responsibility, acting as the patient's advocate, to ensure that the patient understands the information. See institutional policy regarding consent.

Answer to Question 2

B, C, D
Continuous bubbling in the water-seal chamber could indicate a leak in the system and should be assessed further. The presence of subcutaneous emphysema must be assessed further because it can be caused by a poor seal at the chest tube insertion site. Complaints of pain at the insertion site can be expected but should be fully assessed before analgesics are administered. A respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute falls within the normal range and does not, by itself, indicate a need for further assessment. A small amount of drainage on the chest tube dressing can be expected and serous drainage would be normal; however, it should be monitored for any change in appearance.

[809779]

Thanks

[olderstudent]

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