Question

You are an intern who has consulted surgery to place a subclavian central venous line. You only know access must be obtained. You do not know why the internal jugular approach is not being used. On the phone the surgical resident says, "Can you go get the consent while I am coming up?" What should you do?

A) Go get the consent as instructed.
B) Refuse to obtain consent without further information.
C) Wait for the surgical resident to arrive.
D) Perform the procedure without consent.

Answer 1

The intern should refuse to obtain consent without further information because informed consent requires a healthcare professional to be fully informed about the procedure and able to convey this information to the patient. Option b.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the scenario presented, the correct course of action would be B) Refuse to obtain consent without further information. Consent for medical procedures is a critical part of healthcare ethics and patient rights. It is essential that consent be obtained by a healthcare professional who is thoroughly informed about the procedure, its indications, risks, benefits, and alternatives and who can effectively communicate this information to the patient. Given that the intern does not have the necessary information about why the subclavian approach is being chosen over the internal jugular approach for central venous line placement, it would be inappropriate and potentially unethical to attempt to obtain consent at this stage.

Furthermore, informed consent is not just a formality; it involves educating the patient about the procedure and ensuring they understand all aspects before agreeing. Significant components of informed consent include confirming the patient's identity, the surgical site and procedure, and ensuring the patient consents to the planned intervention. Without this information, the potential for miscommunication and patient harm increases.