Question

A nurse in the ED is caring for a client who is unconscious and requires emergency medical procedures. The nurse is unable to locate members of the client's family to obtain consent. What action should the nurse take?

Answer 1

In emergency situations where family members cannot be located, the nurse should follow the legal principle of implied consent and proceed with emergency medical procedures. Documentation of the situation and actions taken should be made in the patient's medical record.

Step-by-step explanation:

In emergency situations where a patient is unconscious and family members cannot be located to provide consent, the nurse should follow the legal principle of implied consent. Implied consent means that the patient would reasonably consent to the emergency medical procedure if they were able to do so.

The nurse should proceed with the emergency medical procedures to prevent further harm or save the patient's life. Documentation of the situation and actions taken should be made in the patient's medical record.

It is important for healthcare professionals to be familiar with their facility's policies regarding consent and to consult with the hospital's legal department if there are any questions or concerns.