Question

A nurse in an emergency department 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. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? 1: Contact the facility's ethics committee.

2: Obtain consent from the client's employer.
3: Limit care to comfort measures.
4: Proceed with the provision of medical care.

Answer 1

The nurse should proceed with the provision of medical care in emergency situations where the patient is unconscious and requires immediate treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should proceed with the provision of medical care. In emergency situations where a patient is unconscious and requires immediate medical treatment, the nurse is allowed to provide care without obtaining consent from the patient or their family. This is known as implied consent.

In this case, the nurse should prioritize the patient's well-being and focus on providing the necessary medical procedures to stabilize the patient's condition. It is important to note that the nurse should document the situation and efforts made to locate the family members for consent.