Author Question: A physician asks a nurse to witness a consent form the patient has already signed, even though the ... (Read 51 times)

yoroshambo · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

A physician asks a nurse to witness a consent form the patient has already signed, even though the nurse did not see the patient sign the form. The best action by the nurse is to

a. ask the patient if the signature on the form is his or hers.
b. refuse because the nurse did not witness the signing.
c. tell the physician the consent cannot be witnessed now.
d. write consent procedure witnessed on the consent.

Question 2

A patient is having an operation in the morning. During the nurse's shift, the patient asks several questions that lead the nurse to determine that the patient does not understand the procedure. The best action by the nurse is to

a. call the surgeon to come back and explain the procedure.
b. pass this information on to the day shift in shift report.
c. reassure the patient that he or she understood the operation correctly earlier.
d. try to explain the operation so that the patient understands.

dantucker · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

A
The nurse is witnessing that the signature on the consent form is the patient's. The nurse can show the document to the patient, verify that the signature is authentic, and then sign as a witness to the signature.
The nurse does not have to witness the provider obtaining the signature for informed consent.
The consent can be witnessed retroactively because the nurse is only verifying that the signature is the patient's.
This phrase could be included if the nurse had actually witnessed the physician (or other provider) providing the information needed for consent and the patient signing the form. However, in this case, the nurse did not actually witness those actions.

Answer to Question 2

A
Informed consent is a priority in health care. If the patient does not understand the operation, the surgeon needs to return and explain it again. The legal mandate for informed consent in the United States is unambiguous and overwhelming.
Passing the information on is a good idea, but this does not show the nurse meeting the obligation of ensuring informed consent for procedures.
Telling the patient that he or she understood the procedure earlier is patronizing and does not address the patient's concerns.
The person performing the procedure (the surgeon, not the nurse) is responsible for explaining it.