Question

The nurse is trying to get consent to care for an 11-year-old boy with diabetic ketoacidosis. His parents are out of town on vacation, and the child is staying with a neighbor. Which action would be the priority?

a) Obtain consent from the neighbor
b) Contact the parents for consent
c) Delay treatment until parents return
d) Seek legal advice before proceeding

Answer 1

The nurse's priority should be to contact the parents for consent, but in a life-threatening emergency like diabetic ketoacidosis, they may proceed with treatment under implied consent if parents are unreachable.

Step-by-step explanation:

The subject of the question pertains to the health care consent process in a medical emergency involving a minor. In the scenario presented, where an 11-year-old boy is experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis and his parents are unavailable, the priority action for the nurse would be to contact the parents for consent, as they have the legal authority to make medical decisions on behalf of their child. However, since diabetic ketoacidosis is a life-threatening condition, if the parents cannot be reached promptly, the medical staff can and should proceed with emergency treatment under the principle of implied consent for emergency care. In such cases, health care providers are legally and ethically justified in providing necessary treatment to preserve life or prevent serious harm without formal consent.